Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

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How is it performed? of Chorionic Villus sampling

In this test, a small sample of chorionic villi (placental tissues) is obtained either by passing a thin needle through the wall of the abdomen, or by passing a small tube through the vagina and the neck of the womb (cervix). The instrument is moved to the site of the placenta under the guidance of ultrasound scanning. It is important to be able to ‘see’ the tip of the instrument using ultrasound, to avoid making a hole in the amniotic sac (the protective sac that cushions the baby with fluid as it grows).

From the cells obtained in this way, a chromosome (genetic) analysis can be done, and the results are usually available within 10 to 14 days.