OC05.07: Value add of posterior coronal view in diagnosis of cleft palate in first trimester: a preliminary observation

The aim of the study is to evaluate the utility of obtaining a posterior coronal view of the face to diagnose cleft palate in the first trimester. 200 normal and six fetuses with facial clefts were included. Palate was assessed in the sagittal and coronal planes. A defect in the base of the retronasal triangle in the anterior coronal plane (for cleft in primary palate) and the maxillary gap in the sagittal plane were sought. Posterior coronal plane of the palate at the level of the zygoma was included for assessment of the secondary hard palate. Intact palate was observed in all normal fetuses (figure 1a–c). Three cases of unilateral cleft palate and two cases of bilateral cleft palate were included in the study. All these showed a maxillary gap in the sagittal plane and a defect in the base of the retronasal triangle in the anterior coronal plane alongwith a palatine defect in the posterior coronal plane. There was one case of secondary cleft palate alongwith unossified nasal bone and micrognathia confirmed on fetal autopsy. A defect in secondary hard palate was visualised clearly in the posterior coronal plane in this case with an intact base of the retronasal triangle (figure d–f). Posterior coronal plane of the fetal face can provide valuable information regarding integrity of the secondary hard palate in the first trimester. It is easily obtained from the anterior coronal plane of the retronasal triangle. It can be useful in confirming a suspicion of secondary cleft palate by using a biplanar approach. Supporting Information Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.