Work

The importance of bladder volume in the ultrasound diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorders

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Objective To assess how a quantifiable measure of vascularity—i.e. abnormal confluence (Acon) in the subplacental myometrium observed by three‐dimensional power‐Doppler ultrasonography—changes with different bladder volumes. Methods In a prospective observational study, women referred to a tertiary UK center with suspected PAS disorders were recruited between August 2016 and May 2017. The largest area of confluent three‐dimensional power‐Doppler signal (Acon) at the uteroplacental interface was estimated under two bladder volumes differing by at least 200 mL. Results Acon was calculated for 14 women, of whom seven were subsequently found to have PAS disorders. For these seven women, log(Acon) was significantly greater when measured with a filled bladder than when measured with an unfilled bladder (P<0.001). Conclusion Objective evidence was found for a quantifiable difference in vascularity in the myometrium with bladder volume among women with PAS disorders. This difference has sufficient magnitude to influence the potential of Acon as a diagnostic marker.

Source: International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics

DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.12370

Authors: Henry Maynard, Stacy Zamudio, Eric Jauniaux, Sally L. Collins

Institutions: University of Oxford, Hackensack University Medical Center, University College London, John Radcliffe Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Maternal and fetal healthcare

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development