diagnosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

Hydatidiform mole is usually suspected on the basis of the clinical picture - bleeding after a prolonged period of amenorrhoea, early pre-eclampsia, hyperemesis gravidarum, or in half of cases, a uterus which is large for dates.

Investigations include:

  • examination for hydropic villi in vaginal blood
  • serum beta-hCG levels - usually high for early pregnancy
  • ultrasound- characteristic "snow-storm" pattern
  • negative results with foetal doppler
  • chest X-ray to exclude pulmonary metastasis