Doppler flow velocimetry assisted diagnosis of an intrauterine synechia during pregnancy.
The differential diagnosis of reflective intrauterine membranes during pregnancy includes amniotic bands of fetal origin or membranes of combined maternal-fetal origin. While the former have been associated with fetal transverse reduction defects or the lethal amniotic band syndrome, the latter are usually benign and consist of a preexisting uterine septation or synechia around which the fetal membranes fold or become enveloped. We present an unusual case in which a patient was noted at 19 weeks' gestation to have an intrauterine membrane of undetermined origin, appearing to contain a pulsating vessel. Color Doppler imaging and Doppler flow velocimetry clearly depicted a pulse synchronous with the maternal heart rate, defining the membrane as amniotic membranes surrounding a preexisting uterine synechia and not a true amniotic band. The pregnancy was otherwise uneventful and the patient delivered a healthy neonate at elective repeat cesarean at which time the presence of the uterine synechia was confirmed.
Sherer
David M
DM
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.
Lysikiewicz
Andrzej J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012212:Rheology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*