Ultrasound imaging of gestational trophoblastic disease

Abstract

Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) comprise several entities which all arise due to abnormal growth of trophoblastic cells of the placenta. These disease processes range from benign to malignant. GTD are classified as complete hydatidiform mole, partial mole, invasive mole and choriocarcinoma. The imaging of choice for detecting trophoblastic disease is B-mode ultrasonography and color Doppler. When ultrasonography corresponds with the classic clinical presentation, accurate diagnosis is possible in a majority of cases of GTD. This article goes through several cases of GTD. Each case will demonstrate and review the principles of ultrasound diagnosis of different forms of GTD and apply it to the presented case studies. With early and accurate diagnosis with the help of ultrasonography, the cure rate for GTD is high.