A Case Study of a 12‐Week Pregnancy With a Single Live Decapitated Fetus

Decollatio (decapitation): early catastrophic event detected by transvaginal three‐dimensional ultrasound with pathological confirmation

“…The present case shows similarity with the one described by Boyle et al 8 . In their report, a 32-year-old pregnant woman underwent her first scan at 11 + 5 weeks' gestation following conception via assisted reproductive technology, which revealed a normally developing fetus.…”

“…In their report, a 32‐year‐old pregnant woman underwent her first scan at 11 + 5 weeks' gestation following conception via assisted reproductive technology, which revealed a normally developing fetus. Follow‐up ultrasound 2 days later demonstrated that fetal decapitation had occurred, with the fetal head detected at the level of the cervical canal, but with the presence of a fetal heart rate of 163 bpm 8 .…”

“…(1) Use of the term 'decapitation' should be reserved only for cases in which there is ultrasound-based evidence that a cephalic pole is present, with follow-up ultrasound examination confirming separation of the embryonic/fetal head from the trunk. (2) The process of decapitation may occur early in pregnancy, and if massive bleeding does not ensue, the developing embryo or fetus may survive in utero, as well as ex utero, for a short period of time [8][9][10] . (3) According to this phenomenon, evidence suggests that the embryo/fetus has the potential for subsequent growth from the neck down.…”