The antenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta

Abstract

The incidence of placental attachment disorders continues to increase with rising caesarean section rates. Antenatal diagnosis helps in the planning of location, timing and staffing of delivery. In at-risk women grey-scale ultrasound is quite sensitive, although colour ultrasound is the most predictive. Magnetic resonance imaging can add information in some limited instances. Patients who have had a previous caesarean section could benefit from early (before 10 weeks) visualisation of the implantation site. Current data refer only to placentas implanted in the lower anterior uterine segment, usually over a caesarean section scar.

Keywords: Caesarean hysterectomy; caesarean section; colour Doppler ultrasound; magnetic resonance imaging; placenta; placenta accreta; placenta increta; placenta percreta; scar pregnancy; three-dimensional colour Doppler ultrasound; ultrasound.