Normal Variant or Something to Worry About?
Case Summary
Gestational age: 22 weeks 3 days
Examination: Detailed second-trimester ultrasound
Finding: Flexed appearance of the right 4th toe
Ultrasound Findings
Flexion of the right 4th toe
Other toes aligned normally
Normal foot length and shape
No rocker-bottom configuration
No syndactyly
Long bones within normal range
No additional structural abnormalities
👉 Isolated finding
What Is a Curly Toe?
A curly toe refers to a flexed or slightly underlapping toe appearance.
In fetal ultrasound, this can be seen due to:
Intrauterine positioning
Transient muscular tone
Normal anatomical variation
The 4th toe, in particular, may appear flexed because of its anatomical alignment and scanning angle.
Is It a Soft Marker?
Isolated curly toe is not considered a strong soft marker for chromosomal abnormalities.
However, further evaluation is important when:
Multiple anomalies are present
Persistent overlapping toes are observed
Fixed deformity is suspected
Associated skeletal abnormalities exist
In this case, no additional abnormalities were identified.
What Should Be Checked?
When a curved toe is seen, the examiner should assess:
✔ Overall toe alignment
✔ Foot contour
✔ Long bone measurements
✔ Presence of other structural anomalies
✔ Fetal growth pattern
Context is everything.
Counseling Perspective
When isolated and not associated with other findings, a curly toe is most often:
Positional
Benign
Likely to resolve or remain clinically insignificant
Follow-up imaging can help confirm stability.
🔎 Clinical Takeaway
Not every unusual image represents pathology.
Ultrasound interpretation requires pattern recognition and context.
An isolated 4th curly toe at mid-gestation is usually a normal variant.