Preliminary Doppler studies on the uterine artery and myometrium in trophoblastic tumours requiring chemotherapy

Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1990 Aug;97(8):686-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1990.tb16239.x.

Abstract

The uterine circulation in 38 patients with invasive mole or choriocarcinoma were investigated using Doppler ultrasound. Twenty-six non-pregnant and 23 pregnant volunteers were assessed in a similar fashion to act as control groups. The pulsatility indices were significantly lower in the patients with trophoblastic disease when compared with the non-pregnant and pregnant groups (Student's t-test; P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.02 respectively). The uterine circulation in persistent trophoblastic diseases shows a characteristic Doppler profile suggesting the presence of large low resistance blood vessels. This may be useful in the initial assessment of these tumours before cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Choriocarcinoma / blood supply*
  • Choriocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydatidiform Mole, Invasive / blood supply*
  • Hydatidiform Mole, Invasive / drug therapy
  • Myometrium / blood supply*
  • Pregnancy
  • Ultrasonography
  • Uterine Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / drug therapy