Cardiovascular Adaptation in Fetal Growth Restriction: A Longitudinal Study From Fetuses at Term to the First Year of Life.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate longitudinal trends in fetal and offspring cardiovascular adaptation in fetal growth restriction (FGR). DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. SETTING: Fetal Medicine Unit. SAMPLE: Thirty-five FGR pregnancies and 37 healthy controls assessed as term fetuses (mean age 37 ± 1 weeks) and again in infancy (mean age 8 ± 2 months). METHODS: Conventional echocardiographic techniques, tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking echocardiography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) geometry and function. Echocardiographic parameters were normalised by ventricular size adjusting for differences in body weight between groups. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, late FGR fetuses showed significant alterations in cardiac geometry with more globular LV chamber (LV sphericity index, 0.56 vs. 0.52), increase in biventricular global longitudinal systolic contractility (MAPSE, 0.29 vs. 0.25 mm; TAPSE, 0.42 vs. 0.37 mm) and elevated cardiac output (combined CO: 592 vs. 497 mL/min/kg, p < 0.01 for all). Indices of LV diastolic function in FGR fetuses were significantly impaired with myocardial diastolic velocities (LV A', 0.30 vs. 0.26 cm/s; IVS E', 0.19 vs. 0.16 cm/s) and LV torsion (1.2 vs. 3.5 deg./cm, p < 0.01 for all). At postnatal assessment, FGR offspring revealed persistently increased SAPSE (0.27 vs. 0.24 mm), LV longitudinal strain (-19.0 vs. -16.0%), reduced LV torsion (1.6 vs. 2.1 deg./cm) and elevated CO (791 vs. 574 mL/min/kg, p < 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal cardiac remodelling and myocardial dysfunction in late FGR fetuses is most likely due to chronic placental hypoxaemia. Persistent changes in cardiac geometry and function in FGR offspring may reflect fetal cardiovascular maladaptation that could predispose to long-term cardiovascular complications in later life.

Low-dose aspirin for the prevention of superimposed preeclampsia in women with chronic hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated whether the use of low-dose aspirin during pregnancy by women with chronic hypertension reduces the odds of superimposed preeclampsia and poor perinatal outcomes. DATA SOURCES: In September 2021, the following sources were searched: Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and EU Clinical Trials Register. Only human studies were included, with no time or language restrictions. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Cohort, case-control, and randomized controlled studies reporting women with chronic hypertension pregnant with a singleton were included. Eligible studies compared low-dose aspirin use during pregnancy with a control arm. METHODS: Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model, estimating odds ratios and 95% confidence and prediction intervals, and the quality of data was assessed with the GRADE approach. Heterogeneity was investigated in regard to study methodology, timing of commencement of aspirin, and the outcome of preterm preeclampsia. RESULTS: Nine studies (3 retrospective cohort studies and 6 randomized trials) including 2150 women with chronic hypertension were included. Low-dose aspirin prophylaxis did not significantly reduce the odds of superimposed preeclampsia in the randomized controlled trials (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-1.25; prediction interval, 0.27-2.56; low-quality evidence) or observational studies (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-1.87; prediction interval, 0.07-20.80; very low-quality evidence). Low-dose aspirin also did not reduce the odds of preterm preeclampsia (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.86), and early aspirin initiation had no significant impact. There was no significant effect on small-for-gestational-age neonates or perinatal mortality; however, there was a significant reduction in preterm birth (odds ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.89; moderate-quality evidence). The quality of the evidence is limited by heterogeneity and risk of bias. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis was unable to demonstrate a significant change in the odds of superimposed preeclampsia, small-for-gestational-age infants, or perinatal mortality with the use of low-dose aspirin in women with chronic hypertension. However, significant reduction in preterm birth justifies the continued use of aspirin prophylaxis. This work was prospectively registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number CRD42021285921).

Postpartum cardiovascular function in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, which are usually mediated by the development of cardiovascular risk factors, such as chronic hypertension, metabolic syndrome, or subclinical myocardial dysfunction. Increasing evidence has been showing that little time elapses between the end of pregnancy and the development of these cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the persistence of hypertension and myocardial dysfunction at 4 months postpartum in a cohort of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and to compare the echocardiographic parameters between the peripartum and the postpartum period. STUDY DESIGN: In a longitudinal prospective study, a cohort of women with preterm or term hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and an unmatched group of women with term normotensive pregnancy were recruited. Women with preexisting chronic hypertension (n=29) were included in the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy cohort. All participants underwent 2 cardiovascular assessments: the first was conducted either before or within 1 week of delivery (V1: peripartum assessment), and the second between 3 and 12 months following delivery (V2: postpartum assessment). The cardiovascular evaluation included blood pressure profile, maternal transthoracic echocardiography (left ventricular mass index, relative wall thickness, left atrial volume index, E/A, E/e', peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation, ejection fraction, and left ventricular global longitudinal strain and twist), and metabolic assessment (fasting glycemia, insulin, lipid profile, and waist measurement). Echocardiographic data were compared between V1 and V2 using paired t test or McNemar test in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and in the control groups. RESULTS: Among 260 patients with pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and 33 patients with normotensive pregnancies, 219 (84.2%) and 30 (90.9%) attended postpartum follow-up, respectively. Patients were evaluated at a median of 124 days (interquartile range, 103-145) after delivery. Paired comparisons of echocardiographic findings demonstrated significant improvements in cardiac remodeling rates (left ventricular mass index [g/m2], 63.4±14.4 vs 78.9±16.2; P<.001; relative wall thickness, 0.35±0.1 vs 0.42±0.1; P<.001), most diastolic indices (E/e', 6.3±1.6 vs 7.4±1.9; P<.001), ejection fraction (ejection fraction <55%, 9 [4.1%] vs 28 [13.0%]; P<.001), and global longitudinal strain (-17.3±2.6% vs -16.2±2.4%; P<.001) in the postpartum period compared with the peripartum. The same improvements in cardiac indices were observed in the normotensive group. However, at the postnatal assessment, 153 of 219 (69.9%) had either hypertension (76/219; 34.7%) or an abnormal global longitudinal strain (125/219; 57.1%), 13 of 67 (19.4%) had metabolic syndrome, and 18 of 67 (26.9%) exhibited insulin resistance. CONCLUSION: Although persistent postpartum cardiovascular impairment was evident in a substantial proportion of patients given that more than two-thirds had either hypertension or myocardial dysfunction postpartum, cardiac modifications because of pregnancy-related overload and hypertension were more pronounced in the peripartum than in the postpartum period.

Myocardial Function in Fetuses with Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate myocardial deformation of left (LV) and right ventricle (RV) using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in fetuses with and without congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. METHODS: This was a prospective single-center study. Vertical transmission was defined by a positive CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on the amniotic fluid or on the neonate's urine. Fetuses were divided into group 1 and group 2 if CMV-PCR was positive or negative, respectively. LV and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) values were obtained and adjusted for gestational age by calculating Z-scores. Univariate analysis was carried out to compare cardiac indices between group 1 and group 2. RESULTS: Fetuses from group 1 (n = 11) had a significantly lower LV myocardial shortening than those from group 2 (n = 32). GLS was -20.7 ± 5.2% and -26.3 ± 4.1%, respectively (p = 0.001). Similarly, GLS Z-score was lower (0.02 ± 0.72) in group 1 than in group 2 (-0.80 ± 0.59) (p = 0.001). Similarly, RV GLS Z-score was significantly impaired in group 1 compared to group 2 (-0.44 ± 1.03 vs. -1.04 ± 0.71, p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Fetuses with congenital CMV showed subclinical biventricular myocardial dysfunction. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential role of 2D-STE in identifying fetuses with congenital CMV at risk of postnatal cardiovascular morbidities.

The placenta and preeclampsia: villain or victim?

Preeclampsia is a disease whose characterization has not changed in the 150 years since the cluster of signs associated with the disorder were first described. Although our understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia has advanced considerably since then, there is still little consensus regarding the true etiology of preeclampsia. As a consequence, preeclampsia has earned the moniker "disease of theories," predominantly because the underlying biological mechanisms linking clinical epidemiologic findings to observed organ dysfunction in preeclampsia are far from clear. Despite the lack of cohesive evidence, expert consensus favors the hypothesis that preeclampsia is a primary placental disorder. However, there is now emerging evidence that suboptimal maternal cardiovascular performance resulting in uteroplacental hypoperfusion is more likely to be the cause of secondary placental dysfunction in preeclampsia. Preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease share the same risk factors, preexisting cardiovascular disease is the strongest risk factor (chronic hypertension, congenital heart disease) for developing preeclampsia, and there are now abundant data from maternal echocardiography and angiogenic marker studies that cardiovascular dysfunction precedes the development of preeclampsia by several weeks or months. Importantly, cardiovascular signs and symptoms (hypertension, cerebral edema, cardiac dysfunction) predominate in preeclampsia at clinical presentation and persist into the postnatal period with a 30% risk of chronic hypertension in the decade after birth. Placental malperfusion caused by suboptimal maternal cardiovascular performance may lead to preeclampsia, thereby explaining the preponderance of cardiovascular drugs (aspirin, calcium, statins, metformin, and antihypertensives) in preeclampsia prevention strategies. Despite the seriousness of the maternal and fetal consequences, we are still developing sensitive screening, reliable diagnostic, effective therapeutic, or improvement strategies for postpartum maternal cardiovascular legacy in preeclampsia. The latter will only become clear with an acceptance and understanding of the cardiovascular etiology of preeclampsia.

Fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly: What do we tell the prospective parents?

Fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly is a relatively common finding, observed during approximately 1% of obstetric ultrasounds. In the second and third trimester, mild (≥10 mm) and severe ventriculomegaly (≥15 mm) are defined according to the measurement of distal lateral ventricles that is included in the routine sonographic examination of central nervous system. A detailed neurosonography and anatomy ultrasound should be performed to detect other associated anomalies in the central nervous system and in other systems, respectively. Fetal MRI might be useful when neurosonography is unavailable or suboptimal. The risk of chromosomal and non-chromosomal genetic disorders associated with ventriculomegaly is high, therefore invasive genetic testing, including microarray, is recommended. Screening for prenatal infections, in particular cytomegalovirus and toxoplasmosis, should also be carried out at diagnosis. The prognosis is determined by the severity of ventriculomegaly and/or by the presence of co-existing abnormalities. Fetal ventriculoamniotic shunting in progressive isolated severe ventriculomegaly is an experimental procedure. After delivery, ventricular-peritoneal shunting or ventriculostomy are the two available options to treat hydrocephalus in specific conditions with similar long-term outcomes. A multidisciplinary fetal neurology team, including perinatologists, geneticists, pediatric neurologists, neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons, can provide parents with the most thorough prenatal counseling. This review outlines the latest evidence on diagnosis and management of pregnancies complicated by fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly.

Adverse perinatal outcome and placental abnormalities in pregnancies with major fetal congenital heart defects: A retrospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The placental development has been shown to be compromised in pregnancies affected by fetal congenital heart defects (CHD). This study aimed to investigate the frequency of complications related to utero-placental insufficiency in pregnancies with and without major CHD. METHOD: This retrospective case-control study was conducted at a Fetal Echocardiography Center in Milan. The following outcomes were compared between the two groups: preeclampsia (PE), small for gestational age (SGA), placental disorders and preterm birth (PTB). The logistic regression analysis was adjusted for maternal age, parity, co-morbidities and mode of conception. RESULTS: The CHD group (n = 480) showed significantly increased incidence of PE (2.9% vs 0.9%; aOR, 6.50; 95% CI, 1.39-30.41; P = .017) as compared to the control group (n = 456). Placental disorders occurred more frequently in the CHD than in controls, but the increased risk showed only a borderline significance (4.5% vs 3.3%; aOR, 2.56; 95% CI, 0.99-1.02; P = .046). There was a significantly higher risk of SGA in CHD than in controls (8.7% vs 3.9%; aOR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.51-7.51; P = .003). PTB occurred in 65/477 (13.6%) cases and in 39/447 (8.7%) controls (P = .022) (aOR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.24-3.81; P = .007). CONCLUSION: Major CHD are significantly associated with the risk of PE, SGA and PTB.

Prenatal Growth in Fetuses with Isolated Cyanotic and Non-Cyanotic Congenital Heart Defects.

BACKGROUND: Fetal growth may vary significantly in different congenital heart defects (CHDs). OBJECTIVES: To investigate prenatal growth of CHD fetuses and its correlation with classifications based upon expected oxygen delivery to the fetal brain or structural findings. METHODS: Seventy-nine euploid fetuses with isolated CHD were recruited prospectively and categorized by the expected oxygen supply to the brain (low, intermediate, and high) or by the expected arterial mixing considering two categories (cyanotic or non-cyanotic). Biometry and Doppler were recorded, and Z-scores (Zs) calculated. Growth changes at different time points were analyzed and compared with 150 controls. RESULTS: A total of 664 exams were performed on 229 fetuses. Median head circumference (HC) Zs were lower in all CHD fetuses from the second trimester onwards and in cyanotic CHD fetuses from the first onwards, with associated smaller abdominal circumference (AC) in the third trimester (first-trimester biparietal diameter Zs cyanotic: -1.3 [-2.36; -0.98], non-cyanotic -0.72 [-1.25; -0.6], p = 0.044, second-trimester HC Zs cyanotic: -1.47 [-2.3; -0.84]; non-cyanotic -0.45 [-0.83; -0.02], p < 0.0001; AC Zs cyanotic 0.0 [-0.44; 0.86]; non-cyanotic 0.65 [0.31; 1], p = 0.0006). Birth-weight centiles were smaller in CHDs (particularly in cyanotic) with no differences between categories of brain oxygen delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Fetuses with cyanotic CHD have fetal growth restriction, impaired head growth, yet normal posterior fossa dimensions and fetal-placental Doppler.

Comparison of two "a priori" risk assessment algorithms for preeclampsia in Italy: a prospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of the algorithms proposed by the Fetal Medicine Foundation in 2012 and BCNatal in 2013 in an Italian population. METHODS: A multicentric prospective study was carried out which included pregnancies at 11-13 weeks' gestation from Jan 2014 through May 2017. Two previously published algorithms were used for the calculation of the "a priori" risk of preeclampsia (based on risk factors from medical history) in each individual. RESULTS: In a study population of 11,632 cases, 67 (0.6%) developed early preeclampsia and 211 (1.8%) developed late preeclampsia. The detection rates (95% CI) for early and late preeclampsia were 58.2% (45.5-70.2) vs. 41.8% (29.6-54.5) (p value < 0.05) and 44.1% (37.3-51.1) vs. 38% (31.3-44.8) (p value < 0.05) for the Fetal Medicine Foundation and BCNatal, respectively (at a 10% false positive rate). The associated risk was 1:226 and 1:198 (p value ns) for early PE, and 1:17 and 1:24 (p value ns) for late PE for the Fetal Medicine Foundation and BCNatal, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Fetal Medicine Foundation screening for preeclampsia at 11-13 weeks' gestation scored the highest detection rate for both early and late PE. At a fixed 10% false positive rate, the estimated "a priori" risks of both the Fetal Medicine Foundation and the BCNatal algorithms in an Italian population were quite similar, and both were reliable and consistent.

Preeclampsia: The Relationship between Uterine Artery Blood Flow and Trophoblast Function.

Maternal uterine artery blood flow is critical to maintaining the intrauterine environment, permitting normal placental function, and supporting fetal growth. It has long been believed that inadequate transformation of the maternal uterine vasculature is a consequence of primary defective trophoblast invasion and leads to the development of preeclampsia. That early pregnancy maternal uterine artery perfusion is strongly associated with placental cellular function and behaviour has always been interpreted in this context. Consistently observed changes in pre-conceptual maternal and uterine artery blood flow, abdominal pregnancy implantation, and late pregnancy have been challenging this concept, and suggest that abnormal placental perfusion may result in trophoblast impairment, rather than the other way round. This review focuses on evidence that maternal cardiovascular function plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

Reproductive Outcomes After Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia. A Comparison Between Single-Agent and Multiagent Chemotherapy: Retrospective Analysis From the MITO-9 Group.

OBJECTIVES: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia affects women of reproductive age and is usually treated by chemotherapy. Major concerns related to chemotherapy in young women are the possible infertility, risk of early menopause, and teratogenic effects on subsequent pregnancies. The study's aim was to analyze menstrual and reproductive outcomes of women treated with single-agent versus multiagent chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. METHODS: One-hundred fifty-one patients were treated. Seventy-six patients older than 45 years, with a placental site or epithelioid trophoblastic tumor, undergoing hysterectomy for patient choice, or undergoing human chorionic gonadotropin follow-up at the time of the analysis were excluded. Seventy-five patients were divided into subgroups according to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics score: patients scoring less than 7, receiving single-agent chemotherapy (group A, n = 42); patients scoring 7 or greater, receiving combination treatment (group B, n = 33). Patients' outcomes were compared by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Temporary amenorrhea occurred in 33% of group A patients and 66.7% of group B (P = 0.01). Premature menopause occurred in 3 patients in group B (0% vs 9%, P = 0.02). Ten patients in group B underwent salvage hysterectomy. Pregnancy desire did not differ between the 2 groups (P = 0.555). In group A, 57.1% became pregnant; in group B, 36.4% did (P = 0.060). Instead, pregnancy rate was 52.2% among high-risk patients not undergoing hysterectomy (57.1% vs 52.2%, P = 0.449). There was no difference in miscarriage (P = 0.479) and premature birth (P = 0.615) rates. In a multivariate analysis that included age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics score, chemotherapy type, use of assisted reproductive technologies, previous pregnancies, and pregnancy desire, only age (P = 0.006) and pregnancy desire (P = 0.002) had a significant impact on the probability to have subsequent pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Except for the risk of premature ovarian failure, a rare adverse effect of combined treatments, both single-agent and multiagent chemotherapy can be safely administered to patients with a desire for childbearing. High-risk patients have worse reproductive outcomes because they undergo hysterectomy more frequently than low-risk patients.

Role of Surgery in the Management of Hydatidiform Mole in Elderly Patients: A Single-Center Clinical Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Women older than 40 years develop gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) after a hydatidiform mole (HM) more often than do younger women. Therefore, in elderly women, primary hysterectomy has been advocated as first-line treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether hysterectomy could reduce the incidence of GTN after a diagnosis of HM. METHODS: Seventy-six of 442 patients referred to our unit for an HM between 1994 and 2015 were older than 40 years old. Among these, 12 patients were treated by primary hysterectomy. We compared clinical features, serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), incidence of GTN, and further treatments in these patients and in those who underwent evacuation and serum hCG monitoring, using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Patients treated by primary hysterectomy all had a diagnosis of a complete or invasive HM, had more hyperemesis than did control subjects (82% vs 37%, P = 0.008), and had an increased uterine volume (100% vs 41%, P = 0.001). Seven of them developed a subsequent GTN, whereas 5 patients achieved complete remission of disease after surgery (58% vs 30%, P = 0.094). All the patients who developed a GTN after surgery showed lower hCG levels than did control subjects (mean, 671.4 [SD, 1178.4] IU/L vs 23,919.4 [SD, 34,284.9] IU/L; P = 0.005), but there were no significant differences in the amount and type of chemotherapy needed to achieve remission. CONCLUSIONS: Primary hysterectomy after 40 years old in women affected by HM does not reduce the incidence of GTN and amount of chemotherapy. Although further studies are needed to confirm these results, a careful hCG monitoring should be recommended in these high-risk patients.

Nuchal translucency measurement, free ß-hCG and PAPP-A concentrations in IVF/ICSI pregnancies: systematic review and meta-analysis.

So far, data on the effect of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) on the components of first trimester combined screening for Down syndrome are still controversial. A systematic search of the literature was performed in order to identify the effect of ART, particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with fresh embryo transfer, on the nuchal translucency, free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A measurements. Moreover, a meta-analysis and a descriptive graphical representation of the ratios between ART and spontaneous pregnancies (controls) values of median of the multiple of median (m0 MoM) were performed. Free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin test showed slightly higher values in the ICSI group than controls (RR = 1.09, 95%CI: 1.03-1.16) but not in the IVF group (RR = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.94-1.12). Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A values for IVF/ICSI, IVF and ICSI showed lower values in comparison with controls (RR, 95%CI 0.85, 0.80-0.90; 0.82, 0.74-0.89 and 0.83, 0.79-0.86, respectively). The nuchal translucency measurement did not show any statistical differences between study groups (IVF and ICSI) and controls (RR = 1.00, 95%CI: 0.94-1.08 and RR = 1.01, 95%CI: 0.97-1.05, respectively). These results may be due to alterations in the placentation of ART pregnancies. Differentiating further subgroups of ART pregnancies may explain the differences in biomarker concentrations, in prenatal behavior and in obstetric outcomes between ART and spontaneous pregnancies. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Twin Pregnancies with Complete Hydatidiform Mole and Coexistent Normal Fetus: A Series of 13 Cases.

AIM: The study aimed to describe prenatal diagnosis and the outcome of complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent normal fetus (CHMCF). METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of 13 patients with CHMCF. Prenatal diagnosis, outcome and development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) were reviewed. RESULTS: Ultrasound diagnosis was carried out in 12 of 13 cases at 17 ± 2.7 weeks of gestation (mean ± SD). Six patients showed abnormalities suggestive of subchorionic hematoma on first trimester ultrasonography (US). Prenatal invasive procedures were performed in 8 of 13 cases (62%). Two women decided to terminate their pregnancies. Four ended in late miscarriages (36%, 4 of 11) between 13 and 21 weeks, and early neonatal death occurred in 1 case (9%, 1 of 11); 5 women delivered a live baby with a mean gestational age of 31 weeks (range 26-37 weeks) with an overall neonatal survival of 45% (5 of 11). GTN occurred in 31% of cases (4 of 13). CONCLUSIONS: The first trimester US features of CHMCF are not well-documented. Our series showed that abnormalities of CHMCF could be misdiagnosed as subchorionic hematoma in the early first trimester. When CHMCF is confirmed by expert US, prenatal invasive procedures should be carefully evaluated depending on the associated US findings and exhaustive counseling should be performed.

[¹8F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and trophoblastic disease: the gynecologist perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a group of different pregnancy-related diseases that includes hydatidiform mole (HM), invasive mole, gestational choriocarcinoma (CC), placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT). The potential role of 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in diagnostic setting and follow up phase of GTD is still largely debated. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The aim of this review is to examine the role of [18F]FDG PET/computed tomography (CT) in diagnosis, treatment and follow up of different disease subtypes. A systematic computerized search of the literature, from 1996 until December 2015 was performed in PubMed and MEDLINE to identify relevant papers to be included for this purpose. All pertinent articles and their reference lists were systematically reviewed in order to identify other studies for potential inclusion. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Regarding HM a potential prognostic relevance of maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) of molar tissue within the uterus before evacuation has been suggested. Considering CC staging, most [18F]FDG PET evaluations confirmed the results of conventional imaging. However [18F]FDG PET played a key role in discriminating ambiguous lesions on routine imaging work-up. [18F]FDG PET was particularly useful in evaluating disease recurrence and chemo-resistance, thanks to the possibility of an early identification of the active tumor site. Since the main treatment of PSTT is surgery, the contribution of [18F]FDG PET in differential diagnosis and in providing a more precise mapping of resectable metastasis or the complete response to treatment is advisable. CONCLUSIONS: Since the role of [18F]FDG PET and PET/CT in diagnostic setting and follow up of GTN is still controversial, further studies are required to clarify this issue.