Three-dimensional sonographic features of placental abnormalities.
OBJECTIVE
To describe three-dimensional (3D) sonographic features of placental abnormalities in utero.


METHODS
A total of 6 cases with placental abnormalities (1 chorioangioma, 1 subchorionic hematoma, 2 placental cysts, and 2 subplacental fibromas) from 22 to 34 weeks of gestation were studied with transabdominal 3D sonography.


RESULTS
Placental abnormalities could be easily imaged with both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D sonography; however, visualization of the continuity and curvature of structures was more easily accomplished with 3D sonography. In the case with chorioangioma, the thick and rough surface of the tumor was clearly depicted. With the use of color Doppler ultrasound, only a case of chorioangioma was shown to have abundant blood flow within the tumor. In cases with placental cyst and subchorionic hematoma, the wall of the cyst becomes a transparent-like structure, so internal textures can be clearly identified. In the case with subplacental fibroma, the location in relation to the placenta was clearly recognized.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that 3D sonography has the potential to be a supplement to 2D sonography and color Doppler ultrasound in identifying placental masses and provides a novel means of visualizing placental abnormalities in utero.
Hata
Toshiyuki
T
Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Kagawa Medical University, Kagawa, Japan. toshi28@kms.ac.jp
Kanenishi
Kenji
K
Inubashiri
Eisuke
E
Tanaka
Hirokazu
H
Senoh
Daisaku
D
Manabe
Atsushi
A
Miyake
Kaoru
K
Kondoh
Shungo
S
Hata
Toshio
T
D000328:Adult; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods