American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 202, Issue 6 , Pages 611.e1-611.e5, June 2010

Is computed tomography a reliable diagnostic modality in detecting placental injuries in the setting of acute trauma?

Presented at the 76th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, La Jolla, CA, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2009.

  • Maria Manriquez, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maricopa Integrated Health System, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
    • ,
  • Gujjarappa Srinivas, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, Maricopa Integrated Health System, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
    • ,
  • Srigayatri Bollepalli, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, Maricopa Integrated Health System, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
    • ,
  • Lynley Britt, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maricopa Integrated Health System, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
    • ,
  • David Drachman, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Clinical Research, Maricopa Integrated Health System, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ

Received 15 September 2009; received in revised form 14 November 2009; accepted 15 January 2010. published online 11 March 2010.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine whether computed tomography (CT) is a reliable method of imaging to assess placental injury after acute trauma during pregnancy.

Study Design

This study was a retrospective review of digital CT images and electronically scanned charts of pregnant trauma patients identified from the hospital trauma registry list.

Results

Using delivery within 36 hours of trauma as the clinical marker for the occurrence of placental abruption, positive radiologic readings showed 86% sensitivity and 98% specificity. The overall accuracy was 96%.

Conclusion

Given that defined patterns on CT can be identified and those can be correlated to actual abruption, CT may be a reliable method for evaluation of placental abruption after maternal trauma, especially in the face of abdominal trauma. Our results show that CT has both good sensitivity and specificity identifying abruption and should be considered for use in the management in the pregnant patient after trauma.

Key words: computed tomography, placental abruption, trauma in pregnancy

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 30.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 Reprints not available from the authors.

 Cite this article as: Manriquez M, Srinivas G, Bollepalli S, et al. Is computed tomography a reliable diagnostic modality in detecting placental injuries in the setting of acute trauma? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010;202:611.e1-5.

PII: S0002-9378(10)00057-8

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2010.01.027

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 202, Issue 6 , Pages 611.e1-611.e5, June 2010

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution