| Abstract: | There is a spectrum of heterotaxic syndromes between normal organ distribution (situs solitus) and congenital conditions in which major organs are mirrored from their normal position (situs inversus). The two main modalities are left isomerism (with polysplenia) and right isomerism (with asplenia). Heterotaxic defects involve ciliary dyskinesia, hampering migration of embryonic organs and leading to malposition of thoracic and abdominal organs, complex cardiac defects, and other malformations. We present a case of prenatal echographic diagnosis of levocardia, with left-sided liver, asplenia, congenital heart disease, and interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygos continuation. Because of the malformations frequently associated with heterotaxy, the position of fetal organs should form part of routine ultrasonographic examination. |
