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Placenta percreta masquerading as an acute abdomen
Luis E Roca1, M Camille Hoffman, Lucia F Gaitan
1From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|January 22, 2009
Summary
Placenta percreta, a serious pregnancy complication, can present with confusing symptoms. Early diagnosis and surgical exploration are crucial when symptoms are unclear, especially with a history of cesarean delivery.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Increasing incidence of placenta percreta linked to rising cesarean delivery rates.
- Diagnostic challenges arise when placenta percreta mimics other severe pregnancy complications.
Observation:
- A 28-week pregnant patient with one prior cesarean delivery presented with right upper quadrant pain.
- Laparotomy revealed intraperitoneal hemorrhage from placental protrusion at a uterine scar, distant from pain site.
Findings:
- Pathology confirmed placenta percreta.
- Symptoms of acute abdomen were remote from the actual placental pathology.
Implications:
- The diagnosis of placenta percreta can be masked by atypical presentations.
- Prompt surgical exploration is vital for diagnosis and management when definitive diagnosis is elusive.
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