Unilateral Absence of the Nasal Bone (NB) fetal ultrasound

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound of the fetal face with maximal mode rendering allows accurate visualization of the bony face and the distinct demonstration of both nasal bones in second-trimester fetuses

case report

The faces of a 24 week fetus gestation ,examined with 3D ultrasound and volumes with max mode rendered this fetus has normal karyotype and an apparently normal nasal bone on 2D ultrasound

In this healthy fetuses both nasal bones could not be demonstrated on 3D ultrasound. and has a hypoplastic or absent nasal bone unilateral on two-dimensional ultrasound. On 3D ultrasound we noticed evidence of absence of one side, and hypoplasia of the other.

Unilateral absence or hypoplasia of nasal bones is an important and new observation This differentiation is best demonstrated on 3D ultrasound with maximal mode rendering.