The value of histomorphological features of chorionic villi in early spontaneous abortion for the prediction of karyotype.

This study was conducted to evaluate the value of histomorphological features of chorionic villi, such as size, shape, vascularity, trophoblast proliferation and trophoblastic pseudo-inclusions, for the prediction of chromosomal abnormality. Slides of 83 early spontaneous abortions were assessed by three observers. Assessments and karyotype were compared and likelihood ratios computed. Likelihood ratios of < or = 0.40 or > or = 2.50 were not obtained by all three observers for any of the features. One or two observers obtained likelihood ratios of > or = 2.50 for lacunar stromal hydrops, presence of trophoblastic hyperplasia, moderate to abundant trophoblastic hyperplasia, presence of trophoblastic lacunae, few intervillous fibrin deposits and few intervillous trophoblastic buds. Likelihood ratios of < or = 0.40 were found for small chorionic villi and presence of basophilic staining. Lacunar stromal hydrops and trophoblastic lacunae were predictive of triploid karyotype, but not specific for any other type of chromosomal abnormality. After application of data previously obtained on Cohen kappas, lacunar stromal hydrops, moderate to abundant trophoblastic hyperplasia and presence of trophoblastic lacunae remained as possibly useful features, again mainly for identifying triploidy. Most of the items claimed to be related to abnormal karyotype, however, were not predictive at all.