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Radiopelviometry (roentgenocephalopelviometry)
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
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Roentgenopelvimetry allows studying the structure of the pelvis, the shape of its entrance, the slope of the pelvic walls (straight, converging, diverging), the shape and protrusion of the ischial spines, the degree of curvature of the sacrum (pronounced or flattened), the slope of the base of the sacrum and its apex forward or backward, the shape and size of the pubic arch (wide, medium, narrow), determining the direct and transverse diameters of the small pelvis, the size of the fetal head in relation to the planes of the pelvis, tumors of the pelvic bones, pelvic fractures, the width of the symphysis, etc.
Roentgenopelvimetry can be performed at 38-40 weeks of pregnancy, during labor and in the postpartum period for retrospective assessment of the pelvis after complicated labor and for prognosis of future births.
Indications:
- suspicion of anatomical changes in the pelvis;
- indication in the anamnesis of a complicated course and unfavorable outcome of childbirth;
- breech presentation of the fetus, large, giant fetus, unclear presenting part of the fetus;
- suspicion of disproportion between the size of the pelvis and the head of the fetus.
Using X-ray pelvimetry, 6 internal diameters of the small pelvis are usually determined: 3 transverse and 3 straight, as well as the size of the anterior and posterior segments of the pelvis and, ultimately, the pelvis can be classified by shape and degree of narrowing.