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Placental cavities
1Department of Pathology, Keio University, School of Medicine, Tokyo and Sho Hospital, Japan.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Placental cavities, common in heavy placentas with male fetuses, show villus laceration and can contain intervillous thrombosis. These findings highlight placental cavity vulnerability during detachment.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- Placental cavities are anatomical spaces within the placenta.
- Their association with specific placental characteristics and fetal sex requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate placental cavities using gross, microscopic, and ultrasonographic methods.
- To determine the frequency of placental cavities and their correlation with epidemiologic factors and intervillous thrombosis.
Main Methods:
- Examination of 567 formalin-fixed placental sections for cavities and intervillous thrombosis.
- Histologic and ultrasonographic analysis of identified cavities.
- Correlation with placental weight, thickness, and fetal sex.
Main Results:
- Placental cavities (≥1 cm diameter) were found in 34.9% of placentas.
- Cavities were more frequent in heavy, thick placentas associated with male fetuses.
- Histology revealed villus laceration within cavities, with air bubbles and villous tissue in fetal veins; intervillous thrombosis was exclusively found in cavities.
Conclusions:
- Placental cavities are significantly associated with heavy, thick placentas and male fetuses.
- Villus laceration within cavities, potentially due to uterine contractions during detachment, can lead to fetal vein contamination.
- Intervillous thrombosis is confined to placental cavities, indicating a specific pathological relationship.