O papel da ultrassonografia na doença trofoblástica gestacional / The role of ultrasonography in gestational trophoblastic disease

A doença trofoblástica gestacional (DTG) agrupa um conjunto de anomalias do desenvolvimento trofoblástico, que incluem formas clínicas benignas como a mola hidatiforme completa e parcial, o nódulo do sítio placentário atípico e o sítio trofoblástico exagerado, e malignas, caracterizando a neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional (NTG). De modo geral, seu diagnóstico precoce antecipa complicações clínicas que podem estar associadas a near miss obstétrico. Diante da suspeição clínica, é a ultrassonografia (US) precoce o exame de escolha pa ra o diagnóstico, associado à dosagem sérica de gonadotrofina coriônica humana, capaz de minimizar a ocorrência de complicações clínicas associadas à gravidez molar. Nos casos de NTG, é a US também de grande valia para estadiamento, avaliação de prognóstico e acompanhamento da mulher tratada para DTG. Este estudo faz uma revisão sobre o papel da US na DTG, sendo importante para familiarizar os tocoginecologistas com essa doença e salientar o papel da US consoante as melhores práticas clínicas.(AU)

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) includes a set of trophoblastic developmental anomalies, which include benign forms such as complete and partial hydatidiform mole, atypical placental site nodule and exaggerated trophoblastic site, and malignant forms, characterizing gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). In general, its early diagnosis anticipates clinical complications that could be associated with obstetric near miss. In view of clinical suspicion, early ultrasonography (US) and serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin are the best diagnostic screening techniques, able to minimizing the occurrence of medical complications associated with molar pregnancy. In cases of GTN, US is also of great value for staging, assessment of prognosis and follow-up of women treated for GTN. This study reviews the role of US in GTD, being important to familiarize tocogynecologists with this disease and highlight the role of US according to best clinical practices to minimize the morbidity of these patients and maximize the remission rates of this disease.(AU)

Uterine rescue in high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia treated with ema-co by uterine arteries embolization due to arteriovenous malformations / Resgate uterino em neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional de alto risco tratada com EMA-CO por embolização de artérias uterinas devido a malformações arteriovenosas

Abstract Complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) is a rare type of pregnancy, in which 15 to 20% of the cases may develop into gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). The diagnostic of GTN must be done as early as possible through weekly surveillance of serum hCG after uterine evacuation.We report the case of 23-year-old primigravida, with CHM but without surveillance of hCG after uterine evacuation. Two months later, the patient presented to the emergency with vaginal bleeding and was referred to the Centro de Doenças Trofoblásticas do Hospital São Paulo. She was diagnosed with high risk GTN stage/score III:7 as per The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics/World Health Organization (FIGO/WHO). The sonographic examination revealed enlarged uterus with a heterogeneous mass constituted of multiple large vessels invading and causing disarrangement of the myometrium. The patient evolved with progressive worsening of vaginal bleeding after chemotherapy with etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (EMA-CO) regimen. She underwent blood transfusion and embolization of uterine arteries due to severe vaginal hemorrhage episodes, with complete control of bleeding. The hCG reached a negative value after the third cycle, and there was a complete regression of the anomalous vascularization of the uterus as well as full recovery of the uterine anatomy. The treatment in a reference center was essential for the appropriate management, especially regarding the uterine arteries embolization trough percutaneous femoral

Resumo Mola hidatiforme completa (MHC) é um tipo raro de gravidez, na qual 15 a 20% dos casos podem desenvolver neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional (NTG). O diagnóstico de NTG deve ser feito o mais cedo possível, pelo monitoramento semanal do hCG sérico após esvaziamento uterino. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente primigesta, de 23 anos de idade, com MHC, sem vigilância de hCG após esvaziamento uterino. Dois meses depois, a paciente compareceu na emergência com sangramento vaginal, sendo encaminhada ao Centro de Doenças Trofoblásticas do Hospital São Paulo, onde foi diagnosticada com NTG de alto risco, estádio e score de risco III:7 de acordo com a The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics/Organização Mundial de Saúde (FIGO/OMS). O exame ultrassonográfico revelou útero aumentado com uma massa heterogênea constituída pormúltiplos vasos volumosos invadindo e desestruturando o miométrio. A paciente evoluiu com piora progressiva do sangramento vaginal após quimioterapia com o regime etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (EMA-CO). Ela foi submetida a transfusão de sangue e embolização das artérias uterinas devido aos episódios graves de hemorragia vaginal, com completo controle do sangramento. O hCG atingiu valor negativo após o terceiro ciclo, havendo regressão completa da vascularização uterina anômala, assim como recuperação da anatomia uterina. O tratamento em um centro de referência permitiu o manejo adequado, principalmente no que se refere à embolização das artérias uterinas através da punção percutânea da artéria femoral, que foi crucial para evitar a histerectomia, permitindo a cura da NTG e a manutenção da vida reprodutiva.

Corioangioma gigante de la placenta con buenos resultados perinatales / Giant Placenta Chorioangioma with Good Perinatal Outcomes

El corioangioma fue descrito por primera vez en 1798 por Clarke. Este es un tumor no trofoblástico de la placenta, constituye una entidad poco usual y se reporta en 1 por ciento de las placentas examinadas microscópicamente, con evidencia clínica en aproximadamente 1:3 500 a 1:9 000 nacimientos. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 21 años, con una historia obstétrica de embarazos 2, abortos 1, que es valorada en servicio de emergencias con embarazo a término con corioangioma gigante de la placenta. El ultrasonido muestra una imagen redondeada hipoecogénica que se interpreta como: cotiledón placentario aberrante. Se le realizó cesárea y se observa una tumoración redondeada en borde placentario con presencia de una red vascular evidente en su superficie. El ultrasonido es el medio que más favorece el diagnóstico, sobre todo el Doppler. La detección precoz y oportuna de esta afección permite la vigilancia fetal y la prevención de las complicaciones(AU)

Clarke first described Chorioangioma in 1798. This is a placenta non-trophoblastic tumor; it is an unusual entity and is reported in 1 percent of the placentas examined microscopically, with clinical evidence in approximately 1: 3 500 to 1: 9 000 births. We present the case of a 21-year-old patient, with an obstetric history of two pregnancies and one abortions, who is evaluated in emergency services with full-term pregnancy with giant placenta chorioangioma. Ultrasound shows a rounded hypoechoic image that is interpreted as aberrant placental cotyledon. A caesarean section was performed and a rounded tumor was observed on the placental border with the presence of an evident vascular network on the surface. Ultrasound is the way that most favors diagnosis, especially Doppler. Early and timely detection of this condition allows fetal monitoring and prevention of complications(AU)

Uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry parameters for predicting gestational trophoblastic neoplasia after complete hydatidiform mole, a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES: Doppler ultrasonography can be used to assess neoangiogenesis, a characteristic feature of postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. However, there is limited information on whether uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry parameters can predict gestational trophoblastic neoplasia following a complete hydatidiform mole. The purpose of this study was as follows: 1) to compare uterine blood flow before and after complete mole evacuation between women who developed postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and those who achieved spontaneous remission, 2) to assess the usefulness of uterine Doppler parameters as predictors of postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and to determine the best parameters and cutoff values for predicting postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 246 patients with a complete mole who were treated at three different trophoblastic diseases centers between 2013 and 2014. The pulsatility index, resistivity index, and systolic/diastolic ratio were measured by Doppler flow velocimetry before and 4-6 weeks after molar evacuation. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon’s test, logistic regression, and ROC analysis. RESULTS: No differences in pre- and post-evacuation Doppler measurements were observed in patients who developed postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. In those with spontaneous remission, the pulsatility index and systolic/diastolic ratio were increased after evacuation. The pre- and post-evacuation pulsatility indices were significantly lower in patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (odds ratio of 13.9-30.5). A pre-evacuation pulsatility index ≤1.38 (77% sensitivity and 82% specificity) and post-evacuation pulsatility index ≤1.77 (79% sensitivity and 86% specificity) were significantly predictive of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine Doppler flow velocimetry measurements, particularly pre- and post-molar evacuation pulsatility indices, can be useful for predicting postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Coriocarcinoma postgestacional / Post-pregnancy choriocarcinoma

El coriocarcinoma es una patología infrecuente pero potencialmente fatal si no se trata. Se incluye dentro de las neoplasias trofoblásticas gestacionales, un grupo de tumores malignos altamente invasivos, metastáticos y muy vascularizados. Su presentación tras una gestación a término conlleva peor pronóstico que tras un aborto o una mola hidatiforme porque refleja un retraso en el diagnóstico y tratamiento. Describimos el caso de una paciente que acudió al servicio de urgencias, refiriendo metrorragia escasa desde un parto normal hace dos meses y posteriormente presentó un sangrado grave durante su hospitalización. Los elevados niveles de β-hCG, la ecografía-Doppler, las pruebas de imagen y las manifestaciones clínicas fueron suficientes para diagnosticar un coriocarcinoma postparto. El tratamiento precoz con poliquimioterápicos permitió una evolución favorable de la paciente.

Choriocarcinoma is an infrequent disease but potentially fatal if untreated. It is included in trophoblastic gestational neoplasia, a range of malignant tumors highly invasive, metastatic and very vascular. Its presentation after term pregnancies carries a worse prognosis than after a miscarriage or a hydatidiform mole because it reflects a delay in diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a patient who presented to the emergency department referring little metrorrhagia from a normal delivery two months ago and severe bleeding later during her hospital stay. The high serum β-hCG level, the Doppler ultrasonography, the imaging test and the clinical manifestation were enough to diagnose a non-metastatic postpartum choriocarcinoma. Early treatment with polychemotherapy allowed a favorable evolution of the patient.

[Comparison of radiological and pathological results in gestational trophoblastic diseases]

Gestational trophoblastic disease [GTD] is a heterogenous group of neoplastic lesions that is derived from placental trophoblastic epithelium. According to World Health Organization [WHO] classification they include: Hydatidiform mole [complete and partial], invasive mole, choriocarcinoma and placental site trophoblastic tumor. Hydatidiform mole is the most common and the diagnosis is achieved by preevacuation ultrasonographic evaluation, laboratory tests and finally histological assessment as gold standard. Since these disorders show varying potential for local invasion and metastasis, the accurate diagnosis, follow up and recommendations given to patients may differ. Consecutive cases with diagnosis of GTD from archive of pathology department of women [Mirza Kochak Khan] hospital were reviewed in whom results of clinical presentation and pre-evacuation ultrasound examination were documented. There were overall 220 cases for which the following clinical features were determined: gravidity, parity, history of previous abortion and gestational trophoblastic disease, the clinical symptoms such as vaginal bleeding and hypertension. Finally concordance between pre-evacuation ultrasonographic and histological diagnosis by kappa test is calculated. Out of 220 cases with clinically gestational trophoblastic disease diagnosis, 197 cases were confirmed by histological diagnosis. The concluding histological diagnosis includes: 98 cases of complete mole [CM], 84 partial mole [PM], 4 invasive mole and 11 cases of choriocarcinoma. Outside 98 cases with histological diagnosis CM only in 4 cases misdiagnosed by ultrasonoghraphy [4.1%] and high degree of concordance between ultrasonography and histological diagnosis is seen. Ultrasonographic examination accompanied with clinical examination, beside histological assessment as gold standard have high efficacy in diagnosing complete mole. This study did not show this finding for partial mole.