Three-dimensional ultrasonographic placental volume in gestational diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the placental volume and placental mean gray value in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and healthy placentas using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL).


METHODS
This case-control prospective study consisted of 39 singleton pregnancies complicated by GDM and 42 healthy singleton pregnancies matched for gestational age, maternal age and parity. Placental volume and placental volumetric mean gray values were evaluated. The placental volume (cm(3)) was analyzed using the VOCAL imaging analysis program and 3D histogram was used to calculate the volumetric mean gray value (%).


RESULTS
Placental volume was significantly larger in GDM (411.59 ± 170.82 versus 343.86 ± 128.94 cm(3); p = 0.046). There was no significant difference in mean gray value between GDM and healthy placentas (36.65 ± 7.02 versus 38.71 ± 7.91, respectively; p = 0.277). Placental volume was significantly correlated with gestational week (r = 0.219, p = 0.035) and parity (r = 0.228, p = 0.048). There was negative significant relation between placental volume and umbilical artery systolic/diastolic ratio, pulsatility index and resistance index (r = -0.278, p = 0.007; r = -0.315, p = 0.002; r = -0.322, p = 0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Placental volume increases significantly in GDM, whereas mean gray values do not alter significantly. These data may reflect the placental changes in GDM placentas that may help to understand the pathophysiology better.
a Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Perinatology Division , Celal Bayar University School of Medicine , Manisa , Turkey.
Halil Gursoy
HG
Pala
a Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Perinatology Division , Celal Bayar University School of Medicine , Manisa , Turkey.
Burcu
B
Artunc-Ulkumen
a Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Perinatology Division , Celal Bayar University School of Medicine , Manisa , Turkey.
Faik Mumtaz
FM
Koyuncu
a Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Perinatology Division , Celal Bayar University School of Medicine , Manisa , Turkey.
Yesim
Y
Bulbul-Baytur
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000502:physiology
3D ultrasonography; VOCAL; gestational diabetes mellitus; placenta; placental mean gray value