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Placental Biopsy: Results, Limitations and Topographic Differences

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Fetal Disorders

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Abstract

Placental biopsy, first described in 1961 (Alvarez, 1961) has the limitations of all biopsies since it takes a small fragment of an organ of varied morphopathology. Results depend, therefore, on the place from which the specimen is obtained. The greatest advantage over other biopsies is that it can be performed at different gestational ages and that eventually one can have the entire organ to compare the findings. The placental biopsy is of great importance in order to improve our knowledge of the endocrine function of the placenta and of the feto-maternal interchanges. The small tissue removed reflects the intrauterine fetal physiology and pathology which is almost unknown today. We will show in an objective way the positive and negative facts and also its risks and limitations.

This work was supported in part by research grants from “Asociacion Pro-Maternidad,” Montevideo, Uruguay.

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Authors
  1. Hermógenes Alvarez
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Columbia University, USA

    Karlis Adamsons M.D., Ph.D. (Chairman, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology) (Chairman, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

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Alvarez, H. (1968). Placental Biopsy: Results, Limitations and Topographic Differences. In: Adamsons, K. (eds) Diagnosis and Treatment of Fetal Disorders. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-46172-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-46172-9_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-46174-3

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