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Structural anomalies in early embryonic death: a 3-dimensional pictorial essay
Bryann Bromley1, Thomas D Shipp, Beryl R Benacerraf
1Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. bbsono@aol.com
Objective:
The purpose of this pictorial essay was to determine whether 3-dimensional (3D) surface rendering of a dead first-trimester embryo can provide any information for the loss.
Methods:
Three-dimensional surface rendering was performed on a collection of dead first-trimester embryos with crown-rump lengths between 12 and 27 mm. These were compared with 2-dimensional (2D) images of the same embryos and with 2D images and 3D surface renderings of normally developing embryos.
Results:
Surface rendering of dead embryos showed a variety of abnormalities in the contour and limb formation.
Conclusions:
The use of 3D sonography may provide insight into the etiology of first-trimester embryonic death.
