Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 2, Issue 6 261-264, Copyright © 1983 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Sonographic appearances of the partial hydatidiform mole
J. S. Woo, L. C. Wong, C. Hsu and H. K. Ma
A partial hydatidiform mole differs morphologically and cytologically from
the complete mole. Correct preoperative diagnosis of the partial mole by
ultrasonography is often difficult. Some partial moles have sonographic
appearances indistinguishable from those of the common complete moles or
missed abortions. The predominant feature in the remainder is the presence
of a well-defined gestational sac, either empty or containing
inappropriately small fetal echoes, surrounded by a relatively thick rim of
placental echoes with intermingling cystic spaces. An echogenic rim around
the sac, as is found in missed abortion or blighted ovum, is notably
absent. There appeared to be no correlation between these sonographic
patterns and the clinical profiles of patients.
