title: Sonographic diagnosis of lateral asynclitism: a new subtype of fetal head malposition as a main determinant of early labor arrest.
abstract: We report on the sonographic appearance of a new type of fetal head malposition in labor that has not been previously described systematically. In some circumstances, the fetal lie is characterized by a lateral orientation of the head with respect to the trunk and, on suprapubic ultrasound, a transverse section of the fetal chest together with the facial profile can be seen on the same image. These sonographic findings were documented in five cases of first-stage labor arrest. This report illustrates how, in these circumstances, ultrasound might be helpful in clarifying the precise cause of obstructed labor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ghi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellussi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pilu
mesh_terms: D004420:Dystocia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007746:Labor Presentation; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods
keywords: fetal malposition; intrapartum ultrasound; obstructed labor