Introduction Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a spectrum of disorders arising from abnormal proliferation of the trophoblastic epithelium of the placenta. There are several histologically distinct types of GTD that range from premalignant, complete, and partial hydatidiform moles (HMs), to…
Introduction Although umbilical vascular anomalies are congenital malformations seen commonly, venous abnormalities of the umbilical vein, such as an umbilical cord varix, are rare. The widespread use of routine sonography has facilitated the prenatal diagnosis of umbilical vein varix (UVV),…
Introduction The widespread use of high-resolution ultrasound (US) in routine obstetric care has led to greater detection of placental and umbilical cord abnormalities. Cysts of the umbilical cord have been reported in all trimesters. The clinical significance and prognosis of…
Introduction Circumvallate placenta is a placental anomaly in which the membranous chorion transitions to a villous chorion, not at the placental edge, but at an area inward from the placental margins, closer to the insertion of the umbilical cord. This…
Introduction Malignant gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) occurs when there is clinical, radiologic, pathologic, or hormonal evidence of persistent trophoblastic tissue, or abnormal growth of trophoblastic tissue. This is most commonly diagnosed after a molar pregnancy, but it can occur after…
Introduction Chorioangiomas are the most common histologic type of placental tumor. They are usually well circumscribed, vascular, and predominantly hypoechoic, ranging from microscopic to several centimeters in diameter. Disease Prevalence and Epidemiology Chorioangiomas are found in 0.5% to 1% of…
Introduction Amniotic band sequence (ABS) refers to a broad group of highly variable congenital anomalies involving multiple fetal structures. Embryologically normal fetal structures become entangled in amniotic bands, leading to constriction, disruption, and malformation defects. The term sequence describes this…
Introduction The rising rates of cesarean delivery in recent years have led to an increase in the diagnosis of placenta accreta, increta, and percreta. Also referred to as morbidly adherent placenta or abnormally invasive placentation, this spectrum of conditions refers…
Introduction Placental abruption complicates a small fraction of pregnancies but has the potential to carry major maternal and fetal morbidity. As this entity is diagnosed clinically, imaging plays a limited role in diagnosis and management, which varies based on gestational…
Introduction Arrhythmia is defined as any abnormality in normal heart rhythm. Fetal arrhythmias include regular heart rates less than 100 beats/min or greater than 180 beats/min, or any irregularity in fetal heart rate in the absence of uterine contractions. Fetal…