The author describes two cases in which the presence of thick amniotic bands is identified and followed throughout the course of each pregnancy. The etiology of these bands is preexisting uterine synechiae, which is substantiated in the first case by a pathology report indicating the presence of smooth myometrial muscle tissue within the band. The identification of thick bands in pregnancy should not be confused with the more serious sequelae of amniotic band syndrome, which is a phenomenon directly related to embryogenesis and gestational sac development.
References
1.
1. Silva SR, Jeanty P: Fetal syndromes, in Callen PW (ed): Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders, 2000, pp 68-104.
2.
2. Angtuaco TL: Fetal anterior abdominal wall defect, in Callen PW (ed): Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders, 2000, pp 489-516.
4. Finberg HJ: Uterine synechiae in pregnancy: expanded criteria for recognition and review of clinical significance in 28 cases. J Ultrasound Med1991;10:527-555.
5.
5. Ball RH, Buchmeier SE, Longnecker M: Clinical significance of sonographically detected uterine synechiae in pregnant patients. J Ultrasound Med1997;16:465-469.
6.
6. Droegemueller W, Herbst AL, Mischell DR Jr, Stenchever MA: Comprehensive Gynecology. St. Louis, MO, C. V. Mosby, 1987.
7.
7. Sherer DM, Lysikiewicz AJ: Doppler flow velocimetry assisted diagnosis of an intrauterine synechia during pregnancy. Am J Perinatol2002;19(8):421-425.
8.
8. Korbin CD, Benson CB, Doubliet PM: Placental implantation on the amniotic sheet: effect on pregnancy out-come. Radiology1998;206:773-775.
9.
9. Stamm E, Waldstein G, Thickman D, McGregor J: Amniotic sheets: natural history and histology. J Ultrasound Med199110:501-504.
