dna flow cytometric analysis in variable types of hydropic placentas

background: differential diagnosis between complete hydatidiform mole, partial hydatidiform mole and hydropic abortion, known as hydropic placentas is still a challenge for pathologists but it is very important for patient management. objective: we analyzed the nuclear dna content of various types of hydropic placentas by flowcytometry. materials and methods: dna ploidy analysis was performed in 20 non-molar (hydropic and non-hydropic spontaneous abortions) and 20 molar (complete and partial moles), formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples by flow cytometry. the criteria for selection were based on the histopathologic diagnosis. results: of 10 cases histologically diagnosed as complete hydatiform mole, 9 cases yielded diploid histograms, and 1 case was tetraploid. of 10 partial hydatidiform moles, 8 were triploid and 2 were diploid. all of 20 cases diagnosed as spontaneous abortions (hydropic and non-hydropic) yielded diploid histograms. conclusion: these findings signify the importance of the combined use of conventional histology and ploidy analysis in the differential diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole, partial hydatidiform mole and hydropic abortion.