Study of blighted ovum by ultrasonic and histopathologic methods

The value of histopathologic examination was estimated in 60 abortions at 8 to 16 weeks' gestation. The diagnosis of blighted ovum had previously been made by careful ultrasonic examination. In the histopathologic examination of the villous tissue the criteria of pathologic or probably pathologic ovum were fulfilled in 55% of the cases. The evaluated retention time of the uterine contents was 1 week or more in 73%. The practical value of histopathologic and ultrasonic examination in the diagnosis of blighted ovum has been discussed.