Doppler evaluation of normal and abnormal placenta.

Doppler techniques are needed for the evaluation of the intraplacental circulation and greatly contribute in the diagnosis of placental anomalies. Highly sensitive Doppler techniques can delineate the maternal (spiral arteries) and fetal components (intraplacental branches of the umbilical artery) of the placental circulation and the forming of the placental functional units. A reduced number of placenta functional units can be associated to obstetric complications such as fetal growth restriction. Doppler techniques can also provide information on decidua vessels and blood movement. An abnormal decidua circulation increases the risk of placenta accrete. Doppler evaluation of the placenta greatly contributes in the diagnosis and clinical management of placenta accreta, vasa previa, placenta infarctions, infarction hematoma, maternal floor infarction, massive perivillous fibrin deposition, and placenta tumors, and has a limited contribution in the diagnosis and clinical management of placental abruption, placenta hematomas, placenta mesenchymal dysplasia, and mapping placental anastomoses in monochorionic twins. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.