Stripped fetal vessel sign: a novel pathological feature of abnormal fetal vasculature in placenta accreta spectrum disorders with MRI correlates

• Published in: Placenta (Eastbourne) Vol. 85; pp. 74 - 77
• Main Authors: Konstantinidou, Anastasia Evangelia, Bourgioti, Charis, Fotopoulos, Stavros, Souka, Efi, Nikolaidou, Maria Evangelia, Zafeiropoulou, Konstantina, Moulopoulos, Lia Angela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 15.09.2019
• Subjects: Fetal vessels; Histopathology; Intraplacental vasculature; MRI; Placenta accreta spectrum; Placenta accreta spectrum; Histopathology; Fetal vessels; Intraplacental vasculature; MRI
• ISSN: 0143-4004; 1532-3102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.07.005

Abnormal intraplacental hypervascularity is a well-known MRI feature of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS), but the precise nature of these vessels has not yet been specified. Histopathological examination of eleven PAS-hysterectomy specimens and subsequent review of the corresponding MRIs, revealed the presence of large fetal vascular trunks extending deep towards the placental periphery and demonstrating deficient branching along their course (‘stripped-fetal-vessel’ sign). To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the pattern of abnormal fetal vasculature in correlation with MRI in PAS. •Enhanced fetal vasculature is a highly suggestive feature of invasive placenta.•Abnormal intraplacental vessels demonstrated on MRIs with PAS are of fetal origin.•Identification of stripped fetal vessel on MRI may facilitate prenatal diagnosis of PAS.