Early sonographic detection of a succenturiate placenta after IVF in a 42-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Oct 10:2017:bcr2017222189. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-222189.

Abstract

We present a case of a 42-year-old woman with a pregnancy resulting from in vitro fertilisation and a medical history including two spontaneous abortions, hypercoagulable state and other comorbidities. At 13 4/7 weeks' gestation, during research ultrasonography, the patient was noted to have an anterior succenturiate placental lobe. Following an episode of vaginal bleeding at 21 6/7 weeks, she was diagnosed with a low-lying posterior placental lobe. Velamentous cord insertion, placenta previa and vasa previa were excluded at that time. After elective induction for advanced maternal age at 39 0/7 weeks, arrest of labour and chorioamnionitis resulted in a primary low transverse caesarean section and delivery of a healthy girl at 39 3/7 weeks. Gross examination of the placenta showed an irregular, singleton placenta with an attached succenturiate lobe and a marginally inserting umbilical cord. Both lobes were connected by two vessels.

Keywords: materno-fetal medicine; pathology; pregnancy; radiology (diagnostics); reproductive Medicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cesarean Section / methods
  • Comorbidity
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro / adverse effects*
  • Fertilization in Vitro / methods
  • Humans
  • Live Birth
  • Obstetric Labor Complications / etiology
  • Obstetric Labor Complications / surgery*
  • Placenta Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pregnancy
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*