Retroplacental haemorrhage

Last revised by Jeremy Jones on 20 Sep 2021

Retroplacental haemorrhage occurs when there is perigestational haemorrhage that is confined to the retroplacental space.

This type of haemorrhage occurs behind the placenta. The haematoma, therefore, separates the placenta from the uterine wall. The source of bleeding is probably from spiral arteries.

Sonographically, a retroplacental haematoma may mimic a thickened placenta because the haematoma is commonly isoechoic to the placenta. It should be suspected if the retroplacental hypoechoic zone is thickened to >2 cm 6. Otherwise, the retroplacental haematoma may be hypoechoic or may be of heterogeneous echogenicity.

Colour Doppler interrogation will reveal the absence of internal blood flow, this finding allows differentiation of haematomas from other placental masses.

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