ULTRASOUND APPEARANCES OF PLACENTAL AND CORD ABNORMALITIES
By Sally Holloway, Cambridge University NHS Trust.
Aim:
The placenta and umbilical cord are an important part of pregnancy. Any abnormalities of the cord or placenta can have a detrimental effect for the mother, fetus or both.
This poster will just look at just a small selection of placental and cord anomalies, their ultrasound appearances and risk factors.
Method:
The placental and cord anomalies discussed in this poster include:
Vasa Previa: fetal vessels cross the internal os below the fetal presenting part.
Succenturiate and bi-lobe placenta: Often diagnosed in later gestation when the placenta and additional placental mass has separated.
Chorioanginoma: Benign tumour, seen as a circumscribed solid mass close to the insertion of the umbilical cord. Colour Doppler shows feeder vessel to the tumour.
Marginal cord insertion: Inserts within 2cm of the placental margin
Velamentous cord insertion: Inserts into chorionamniotic membrane outside placental margin
Single umbilical artery: High risk in SBLV3. Assessed by applying colour Doppler around fetal bladder
Umbilical cord cysts: True or pseudo cysts. They can be linked with fetal trisomy if persistent into the second trimester
Persistent right umbilical vein: Umbilical vein deviates toward the fetal stomach rather than the liver. These can be associated with cardiac defects.
Conclusion:
It is important to assess the placenta and umbilical cord at all ultrasound scans to enable antenatal detection and appropriate management prior to delivery and thus reducing fetal and/or maternal mortality and morbidity.