Sonographic anatomy of the normal placenta

Abstract

The normal anatomy of the placenta and the retroplacental area can be well defined with gray scale sonography. The placenta has a characteristic granular echo pattern, with strong echoes emanating from the chorionic plate. After 37 weeks, strong echoes representing calcification may appear; this is a normal physiologic process. The significance of early calcification is unclear. The retroplacental myometrium and venous drainage of the placenta are easily visualized by sonography. Variations in the appearance of the retroplacental myometrium result from different degrees of bladder filling and from uterine contractions. These normal retroplacental structures should not be mistaken for myomas or hematomas.

Gestational diabetes screening controversy and the role of ultrasonography as an alternative method of screening

“…Grannum i saradnici su razvili sonografski klasifikacioni sistem za gradiranje placente u skladu sa maturacionim promenama 69 . Placentalna kalcifikacija i porast stepena zrelosti su procesi normalnog starenja posteljice 70 . Trudnoće komplikovane zastojem fetalnog rasta su praćene bržim ultrazvučnim sazrevanjem placente, a visok paritet, rh senzibilizacija i GdM karakterišu manji stepen kalcifikacije placente i usporeno ultrazvučno sazrevanje 71 .…”

The Role of Ultrasound in Obstetric Hemorrhage

“…Detection of a retroplacental clot is variable and has been estimated at any where from 11 to 80%. [60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67] The positive predictive value of ultrasound to diagnose abruption is much higher than the relatively poor predictive value of ultrasound, 88% and 53% respectively. 63 The ability to detect placental abruption with ultrasound depends on the location, size and the age of the abruption.…”

Pitfalls in ultrasonic determination of total intrauterine volume

“…12- 14 To assess the effect of the bladder on calculation of uterine volume, we measured uterine dimensions with the maternal bladder full and repeated the measurements after the bladder had been emptied.I5 Calculation of volumes under the (Fig 2). two conditions varied and -Since it is impossible to define a full bladder, measurements must be done with the bladder empty to standardize the technique for reproducible results.…”