Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

The diagnostic value and accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing hydatidiform mole: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

Newhouse, I; Spacey, A; Scragg, BC; Szczepura, K

The diagnostic value and accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing hydatidiform mole: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Thumbnail


Authors

I Newhouse



Abstract

Hydatidiform moles are the most common type of gestational trophoblastic disease. Internationally the incidence of hydatidiform moles is 1-2:1000 pregnancies. Early detection of women with hydatidiform moles is preferential, as these women are at a higher risk of developing other gestational trophoblastic disease. Despite Ultrasound being the most common modality used to diagnose hydatidiform moles, its diagnostic value and accuracy throughout all trimesters remains uncertain. Thus, the aim of this review was to explore and evaluate the diagnostic value and accuracy of Ultrasound in diagnosing hydatidiform mole throughout all trimesters of pregnancy. The databases MEDLINE and CINAHL were searched between 2004 and 2021. Included studies were quality assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A total of 8 studies were included. The narrative synthesis identified four themes: Misdiagnosis, Complete and Partial molar pregnancy, Operator dependency and Gestational age. The meta-analysis highlighted although the sensitivity of ultrasound for diagnosing hydatidiform moles is relatively low at 52.2%, the specificity was high at 92.6%. While histological examination remains the gold standard for detecting hydatidiform moles, our review made evident that ultrasound is a beneficial diagnostic tool in the detection of Hydatidiform moles, especially alongside other diagnostic investigations. This review has highlighted and collated the main barriers and facilitators to diagnosing hydatidiform moles using ultrasound. Findings suggest that although sonographic detection of hydatidiform moles remains a diagnostic challenge, seeking a second opinion or repeating scans before making a final diagnosis should be embedded into clinical practice. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.]

Citation

Newhouse, I., Spacey, A., Scragg, B., & Szczepura, K. (2022). The diagnostic value and accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing hydatidiform mole: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Radiography, 28(4), 897-905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.06.005

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 7, 2022
Publication Date Jul 1, 2022
Deposit Date Aug 12, 2022
Publicly Available Date Aug 12, 2022
Journal Radiography
Print ISSN 1078-8174
Publisher Elsevier
Volume 28
Issue 4
Pages 897-905
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.06.005
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.06.005

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations