Epidemioclinical and ultrasonographic profile of hydatidiform moles in Abidjan

Abstract

Introduction: the purpose of our study was to describe the epidemioclinical and ultrasonographic features of hydatidiform moles (HM) in Abidjan. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study in the Department of Radiology, University Teaching Hospital of Yopougon over a 6-year period (January 2011-December 2016). In this study we describe the epidemioclinical and ultrasonographic profile of patients with HM. Ultrasonographic exams were performed using a mixed-methods approach (intravaginal and subpubic) based on B-mode and Color Doppler by senior radiologists. Anatomopathological examination of uterine content was performed. Results: out of 12190 obstetric ultrasound performed, twenty-five cases of HM were diagnosed reflecting a radiological referral rate of 0.2%. The average age of patients was 33.4 years, ranging from 22 to 50 years. There was no dominant age class. The main clinical signs associated with amenorrhea (100%) included abdominal mass 36% and vaginal bleeding 28%. Ultrasound showed hypertrophic uterus in 100% of cases, homogeneous uterus in 96% of cases and myomatous uterus in 4% of cases. MH had an average thickness of 42.7 mm with vesicular appearance in 68% of cases, "honeycomb" appearance in 16%, multicystic appearance in 12% and snowstorm appearance in 4%. MHs were classified as partial in 4% of cases, complete in 92% of cases and invasive i n 4% of cases. Hypertrophic ovaries were found in 44% of cases with macrofollicles in 32% of cases and cysts in 8% of cases. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of HM was confirmed by anatomopathological examination in 100% of cases. Conclusion: HMs are rare in Abidjan and are dominated by the complete hydatidiform mole. Its occurrence at the extreme ages wasn’t found.