Placental biopsy by frozen section: does it have a role in evaluation of fetal well-being?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of post-partum placental biopsy and frozen section evaluation in diagnosing pregnancy disorders.


METHODS
Between January and July 1998, biopsies were carried out on 100 newly delivered placentas. Biopsies were carried out using a 14-gauge needle, and frozen section evaluations were reviewed. These were compared to the standard evaluation of histological evaluation of the whole placenta sections. Specimens were evaluated by standard placental pathologic criteria.


RESULTS
Villous oedema which is associated with antenatal hypoxia was observed with a sensitivity of 78%, and specificity of 97%, yielding a positive predictive value of 84% in frozen section compared to standard placental evaluation. No statistical difference was observed in the evaluation of dysmaturity, intravillous fibrin agglutination and chronic villitis between frozen sectioning and whole placenta sections. Increased syncytial knots were detected with a sensitivity of 45% and specificity of 98%.


CONCLUSIONS
Placental biopsy by frozen sectioning might be a useful and quick method of evaluation for placental pathology. Theoretically, fetal status could be more precisely evaluated by combining prenatal placental biopsy by permanent section with conservative ante-partum well-being tests.
Mendilcioglu
Inanc
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Akdeniz University, Arapsuyu, Antalya, Turkey. imendilcioglu@akdeniz.edu.tr
Kilicarslan
Bahar
B
Gurkan Zorlu
Cahit
C
Karaveli
Seyda
S
Uner
Mine
M
Trak
Bilal
B
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005629:Frozen Sections; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000473:pathology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity