Placental site nodule

A placental site nodule (PSN) is benign remnant from a previous pregnancy.^[1]

Placental site nodule
Micrograph of a placental site nodule (top of image). H&E stain.

Presentation

They are typically asymptomatic and found incidentally.^[1]

Pathology

PSNs are intermediate trophoblastic remnants.

Diagnosis

PSNs are diagnosed by examining the tissue under a microscope, usually obtained with a dilation and curettage.

Typically, they consist of pink (hyaline) material using the standard stain and contain few cells. Bizarre multinucleated cells may be present; however, there is no mitotic activity. The differential diagnosis includes (cervical) squamous cell carcinoma, gestational trophoblastic disease, and exaggerated placental site.

Prognosis

PSN are benign. Once removed, they do not require any treatment and do not recur.

See also

• Gestational trophoblastic disease
• Placental site trophoblastic tumour