Polarizable placental particles: a case study and brief review of the literature. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2004 Jun;128(6):675-7
Date
05/28/2004Pubmed ID
15163231DOI
10.5858/2004-128-675-PPPACSScopus ID
2-s2.0-4844227617 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
Two otherwise healthy pregnant women presented with intrauterine fetal demise and underwent unremarkable induction of labor. Histopathologic examination of both placentas revealed polarizable foreign material with minimal associated tissue reaction in the membranes and adjacent maternal decidua. No overt foreign body giant cell reaction or inflammation was seen, suggesting recent introduction of the material. Further review of the histories showed that both women had undergone cervical ripening with laminaria. These are strips of collagenous seaweed placed in a closed cervix, where they absorb moisture and swell, dilating the cervix and hastening the onset of labor. Microscopic examination and polarization of known laminaria fragments identified this substance as the likely source of the polarizable material within the placental membranes. Laminaria fragments should be distinguished from other polarizable materials such as talc, suture, and retained foreign bodies on the basis of their histologic appearance and the acute nature of the accompanying tissue reaction.
Author List
Jarzembowski JA, McHugh J, Lieberman RWAuthor
Jason A. Jarzembowski MD, PhD Sr Associate Dean, CEO CSG, Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultFemale
Fetal Death
Foreign Bodies
Humans
Laminaria
Microscopy, Polarization
Placenta
Pregnancy
