[Flow cytometry used to distinguish between complete and partial hydatidiform moles].

The nuclear ploidy of 14 placentas was determined by flow cytometry. All histologically classified complete moles (4 cases), hydropic villi (4 cases) and control placentas (3 cases) were diploid; whereas two of three histologically classified partial moles were triploid. The remaining case classified as partial mole was diploid, most likely a complete mole. It was concluded that DNA flow cytometric analysis offers an informative supplement to the histological interpretation of hydropic placentas.