Ultrasound discrimination between placenta accreta spectrum and urinary bladder varices

Distinguishing between urinary bladder varices and retroplacental neovascularization in placenta accreta spectrum in high-risk patients with placental previa is a diagnostic challenge since they have similar appearances on prenatal ultrasound. Placenta accreta spectrum is associated with massive obstetric haemorrhage while the presence of urinary bladder varices in pregnancy poses a lower surgical risk. Since the clinical implications and management approach for both conditions are entirely different, false positive diagnoses have iatrogenic consequences. In this article, we share our experiences in differentiating these two phenomena on prenatal ultrasound supported by ultrasound and intraoperative images.