Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
Method of Studying Palatal Fusion using Static Organ Culture
Published on: September 19, 2015
Diagnostic Methods for the Prenatal Detection of Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review
Ana Baeza-Pagador1, Ana Tejero-Martínez1, Lucas Salom-Alonso2
1Orthodontics Teaching Unit, Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
Insights
Accurate prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate is crucial for planning. Advanced imaging like 3D ultrasound and MRI significantly improve diagnostic accuracy compared to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Prenatal Diagnosis
- Craniofacial Anomalies
Background:
- Accurate prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate is vital for predicting severity, parental counseling, and treatment planning.
- Orofacial clefts require precise diagnostic methods, timing, and predictability assessments.
- Current diagnostic approaches necessitate evaluation for improved accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the accuracy of various imaging techniques for prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate.
- To assess the optimal gestational timing for diagnosing orofacial clefts.
- To analyze different cleft types concerning diagnostic methods, timing, and predictability.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.
- Studies published up to January 2024 were included.
- Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa and QUADAS-2 scales.
Main Results:
- Eighteen studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the systematic review.
- Supplementary techniques like 3D ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated improved diagnostic accuracy when used with 2D ultrasound.
- The review highlights the enhanced precision offered by advanced imaging modalities.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) holds potential as a standard procedure to significantly enhance the precision of cleft lip and palate diagnosis.
- The choice of diagnostic technique is a critical factor influencing the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis.
- Further integration of advanced imaging is recommended for improved patient management.
Abstract:
Background: Accurate prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate is essential to discuss severity prediction, perform appropriate parental counseling, and, at last, establish long-term treatment planning. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the accuracy of various imaging techniques for the prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate, assess the pregnancy phase for orofacial clefts diagnosis, and study the different cleft types in terms of diagnostic methods, timing, and predictability. Methods: A search of the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify potentially relevant studies published until January 2024. The quality of the selected articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for methodological quality assessment of cohort studies and the QUADAS-2 scale for diagnostic test studies. Results: A total of 18 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The findings of this review indicate that the majority of studies showed improved diagnostic accuracy when supplementary techniques, such as 3D ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, were added to 2D ultrasound. Conclusions: The implementation of magnetic resonance imaging as a standard procedure could significantly improve the precision of diagnosing cleft lip and palate. Therefore, the diagnostic technique used will play a crucial role in the accuracy of the diagnosis.
