Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive
method for evaluating vascularization and is widely used in clinical practice.
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia includes a group of highly vascularized
malignancies derived from placental
cells. This
review summarizes data found in the
literature regarding the applications of
Doppler ultrasound in managing
patients with
gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. The
PubMed/
Medline, Web of
Science, Cochrane and
LILACS databases were searched for articles published in English until 2014 using the following
keywords “
Gestational trophoblastic disease AND
Ultrasonography, Doppler.” Twenty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were
separated into the 4 following groups according to the aim of the study. (1)
Doppler ultrasound does not seem to be capable of differentiating partial from complete
moles, but it might be useful when evaluating
pregnancies in which a complete
mole coexists with a normal
fetus. (2) There is controversy in the
role of
uterine artery Doppler
velocimetry in the prediction of development of
gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. (3)
Doppler ultrasound is a useful tool in the
diagnosis of
gestational trophoblastic neoplasia because abnormal myometrial vascularization and lower
uterine artery Doppler indices seem to be correlated with invasive
disease. (4) Lower
uterine artery Doppler indices in the
diagnosis of
gestational trophoblastic neoplasia are associated with
methotrexate resistance and might
play a
role in
prognosis.
CONCLUSION:
Several studies support the importance of
Doppler ultrasound in the management of
patients with
gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, particularly the
role of Doppler
velocimetry in the prediction of trophoblastic
neoplasia and the chemoresistance of
trophoblastic tumors. Doppler findings should be used as ancillary tools, along with
human chorionic gonadotropin assessment, in the
diagnosis of
gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.