Please confirm topic selection

Are you sure you want to trigger topic in your Anconeus AI algorithm?

Please confirm action

You are done for today with this topic.

Would you like to start learning session with this topic items scheduled for future?

Updated: Dec 1 2021

Hydatidiform Mole

Images
https://upload.medbullets.com/topic/121751/images/94b406549d5a3d552add7600487830_big_gallery.jpg
  • Snapshot
    • A 27-year-old female presents to the emergency department at 11 weeks of gestation with 2 days of uterine bleeding and pelvic pressure, as well as multiple daily episodes of nonbloody, nonbilious emesis over the past week. The patient states that the bleeding is like heavy spotting with dark, purplish-colored blood. On exam, the uterus is larger than expected for gestational age. An ultrasound is performed and shows multiple anechoic spaces in the uterus with no fetus visualized.
  • Introduction
    • Overview
      • a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)
        • molar pregnancies are considered premalignant
          • when malignant, are termed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN)
            • e.g., choriocarcinoma
          • originates in the placenta
            • has the potential to invade the uterus and metastasize
    • Classification
      • Complete mole 
        • 46,XX or 46,XY
        • an empty ovum fertilized by a single sperm
          • results in duplication of paternal genetic material (all DNA is from sperm)
        • higher risk of transformation into choriocarcinoma
          • 15-20% transform
      • Partial mole
        • 69,XXX, 69,XXY, or 69,XYY
        • a normal ovum is fertilized by 2 sperm
        • less likely to transform into choriocarcinoma
          • 1-5% transform
  • Epidemiology
    • Incidence
      • 66-121 per 100,000 pregnancies
    • Demographics
      • higher rates in Latin American, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries
    • Risk factors
      • extremes of maternal age
      • history of previous mole
  • Presentation
    • Symptoms
      • exaggeration of normal pregnancy symptoms due to extremely high β-hCG
        • hyperemesis gravidarum
          • extreme nausea and vomiting
        • vaginal bleeding
          • "prune juice" discharge
            • due to accumulated blood in uterine cavity that has oxidized and liquified
        • pelvic discomfort
          • pain or pressure
    • Physical Exam
      • pelvic exam
        • uterus larger than expected for gestational age
          • more common in complete mole
        • possible adnexal mass
        • possible grape-like mass in vagina
  • Imaging
    • Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS)
      • indications
        • β-hCG > 100,000 mIU/mL
      • findings
        • central heterogeneous mass with numerous discrete anechoic spaces
        • “snowstorm,” “cluster of grapes,” or “honeycomb” appearance on older ultrasounds
        • if partial mole
          • fetal parts and amniotic fluid
          • abnormally wide gestational sac
          • abnormal-looking placenta
        • ovarian theca-lutein cysts
          • more likely in complete mole
  • Studies
    • ↑ β-hCG (> 100,000 mIU/mL)
      • complete mole > partial mole
  • Differential
    • Normal pregnancy
      • key distinguishing factors
        • uterus sized appropriately for gestation
        • β-hCG will be within normal pregnancy range
        • uterine pregnancy visualized on ultrasound
    • Spontaneous abortion
      • key distinguishing factors
        • β-hCG will be normal or decreased
        • uterine pregnancy visualized on ultrasound
        • +/- open cervical os on exam
        • +/- vaginal passage of fetal parts
  • Treatment
    • Medical
      • RhoGAM
        • indications
          • all Rh(D)-negative mothers with vaginal bleeding if father is Rh(D)-positive or unknown
        • modalities
          • single intramuscular or intravenous dose
    • Surgical
      • suction and curettage
        • indications
          • both diagnostic and therapeutic
            • first line treatment for mole
            • pathology confirms diagnosis
    • Follow-Up
      • trend weekly β-hCG levels
        • indications
          • all patients with confirmed mole and/or elevated β-hCG
        • if continues to uptrend
          • workup for choriocarcinoma
  • Complications
    • Choriocarcinoma
      • malignant product of gestational contents
      • very high β-hCG that does not downtrend after surgical treatment for mole
      • can metastasize to lungs and brain
      • requires surgery and chemotherapy
    • Ovarian theca-lutein cysts
      • bilateral, multicystic ovaries, often septated
      • secondary to β-hCG stimulation
      • can cause hyperandrogenism
      • also associated with multigestational pregnancy, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and ovulation induction due to stimulation by elevated levels of β-hCG
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Preeclampsia
    • Respiratory distress
      • usually secondary to trophoblastic embolization
Card
1 of 0
Question
1 of 1
Private Note