Pathomorphology of molar gestation in Zaria

Background: Molar gestations are a source of significant morbidity with increased risk of mortality from their complications if not identified and treated early enough. Objective: This study aims at histologically reviewing and analyzing all cases of molar gestations seen in the Histopathology Department of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria between January 1995 and December 2004, and comparing the findings with other studies done elsewhere. Methods: Cases for this study were identified from the departmental bench book. The relevant request forms, slides and in some cases, tissue paraffin blocks for the study period were retrieved. All cases were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The slides were reviewed based on the histological criteria published by Gehrig and Van-Lee. Main findings: Seventy three cases of molar gestations were seen out of which 17 were excluded and 56 were analyzed as follows: Complete hydatidiform mole, 34; Partial hydatidiform mole, 20; Invasive mole, 2. There were 43 cases of choriocarcinoma making 37% of gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTDs) and were exempted from this study. The frequency of Hydatidiform mole was 1: 612 deliveries. The mean age of the patients was 25.7 years and their leading mode of presentation was vaginal bleeding between 11-18 weeks of gestation. Conclusions: Hydatidiform mole was found to be a common problem and the complete type occurred more frequently than the partial type. Niger Med J. Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan. – Mar, 2010: 1 – 4. Key words : Complete Hydatidiform Mole; Partial Hydatidiform Mole; Zaria.