Objectives

• Introduce key aspects of placental development and review histology of a normal term placenta. 

• Understand the clinical indications for submitting placentas for pathological examination and how the placenta is handled in the pathology lab.

• Differentiate the histopathological patterns of common placental infections.

• Recognize the spectrum and impact of placental pathology in the setting of maternal pre-eclampsia and related disorders of pregnancy.

To Do List:

• Take pre-lesson quiz

• Watch normal placenta histology YouTube video

• Watch the first 11 minutes of the #CAPVirtualPath lecture on placental pathology for a review of normal placental appearance and histology

• Read the first three assigned articles for clinical indications for submitting placentas from the delivery room and handling in the pathology lab

• Watch YouTube video of “Grossing a Placenta in 90 Seconds”

• Read the second set of assigned articles for a comparison and contrast of categories of placental infections

• View the image series of cytomegalovirus infection in the placenta from WebPath

•  Watch the #CAPVirtualPath lecture segment on the histology and staging/grading criteria for chorioamnionitis from minutes 34:00 to 38:20 as well as a segment on villitis from minutes 40:55 to 43:57

• Read the final set of articles

• Watch the #CAPVirtualPath lecture from minutes 10:26 through 25:45 for a review of pathologic findings associated with maternal vascular malperfusion

(meant to be completed of the course of 2-3 days)

Pre-Lesson Assessment

Normal Placenta Video

Watch the First 11 Minutes of the #CAPVirtualPath Lecture

Read the following articles for clinical indications for submitting placentas from the delivery room and handling in the pathology lab:

• Dr. Baergen in APMIS: Journal of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology [2018]

• Multiple authors in Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine [2016], pages 698-701

• Dr. Redline in Contemporary OB/GYN [2014]

“Grossing a Placenta in 90 Seconds” YouTube Video

Read the following articles for a comparison and contrast of categories of placental infections:

• Review of acute chorioamnionitis and funisitis by Kim et al. [2015]

• Review of cytomegalovirus infection of the placenta by Lindholm et al [2019]

View the following images of cytomegalovirus infection in the placenta from WebPath

• https://webpath.med.utah.edu/PLACHTML/PLAC083.html

• https://webpath.med.utah.edu/PLACHTML/PLAC085.html

Watch the #CAPVirtualPath lecture segment on the histology and staging/grading criteria for chorioamnionitis from minutes 34:00 to 38:20 as well as a segment on villitis from minutes 40:55 to 43:57

Read the following articles for up-to-date information about placental changes in the clinical setting of pre-eclampsia and related disorders:

• Dr. Parks in Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am [2020]

• Dr. Ernst in APMIS [2018]

Return to the #CAPVirtualPath lecture and watch minutes 10:26 through 25:45 for a review of pathologic findings associated with maternal vascular malperfusion:

Optional: Listen to this Podcast Episode

Post-module assessment:

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