Sonography of placental abnormalities: a pictorial review

Often overlooked during routine ultrasound evaluation of a normal pregnancy, the placenta forms the biologic interface between the mother and fetus and is critical to fetal growth and development. Malformations in development, positioning, and vascularity can have profound implications for both maternal and fetal well-being. As such, a judicious inspection of the placenta is warranted as an integral part of every screening or emergent prenatal ultrasound. Herein, we present a pictorial review of a variety of placental pathologic conditions including abnormalities in positioning, adherence, vascularity, and hemorrhage as well as potential peri-placental masses and gestational trophoblastic disease, all of which are readily encountered in a busy emergency radiology practice.