title: Doppler flow velocimetry assisted diagnosis of an intrauterine synechia during pregnancy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sherer
authors.forename: Andrzej J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lysikiewicz
mesh_terms: 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*