Snowstorm sign (complete hydatiform mole)

Last revised by Wedyan Yousef Alrasheed on 4 Feb 2023

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Skandhan A, Alrasheed W, Rasuli B, et al. Snowstorm sign (complete hydatiform mole). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 10 Dec 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-37546

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-37546

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/37546

rID:

37546

Article created:

12 Jun 2015, Avni K P Skandhan ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Avni K P Skandhan had no recorded disclosures.

View Avni K P Skandhan's current disclosures

Last revised:

4 Feb 2023, Wedyan Yousef Alrasheed

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Wedyan Yousef Alrasheed had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Wedyan Yousef Alrasheed's current disclosures

Revisions:

10 times, by 10 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Obstetrics

Sections:

Signs

Synonyms:

Granular appearance: complete hydatiform mole
Snow storm appearance: complete hydatiform mole
Snow storm sign: complete hydatiform mole
Snowstorm appearance: complete hydatiform mole

Snowstorm sign in obstetric imaging is classically seen in complete hydatiform mole. It is characterized by the presence of many hydropic villi which gives the ultrasonographic appearance of a central heterogeneous mass having a solid, hyperechoic area and interspersed with a multitude of cystic areas and filling the entire uterine cavity.

A similar sign has also been described in extracapsular breast implant ruptures.