Chorioangioma of the Placenta: An Uncommon Entity

Abstract

Abstract

Background : A chorioangioma is a benign neoplasm of the placenta and consists of a vascular mass arising from chorionic tissue. Case: A 22-year-old, primigravida was admitted to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, in Rohtak, India, at 32 weeks' gestation with a history of pain in her abdomen for 1 day prior to presentation. Her uterine height corresponded to a 34-week period of gestation, with excessive liquid in the area. No fetal heart sounds were heard. This patient was referred for sonography. Ultrasound testing confirmed intrauterine death. Fetal growth parameters corresponded to 32 weeks' gestational age, with no gross structural anomalies and with polyhydramnios (Amniotic Fluid Index: 26 CM). The placenta was in the posterior upper segment of the uterus, with a well-defined hypoechoic, circumscribed ovoid lesion of 9.6×10.3 cm. This lesion was noted on the fetal surface of the placenta. The patient went into spontaneous preterm labor, had hemorrhagic amniotic fluid, and delivered a deceased female child weighing 1.2 kg. Results: The placenta was sent for histopathologic examination, which confirmed the lesion as being a chorioangioma of the placenta. The patient's immediate postnatal period was uneventful. Conclusions: Placental chorioangioma is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications; hence. close follow-up is advised, even in cases that have no associated findings at the time of diagnosis. (J GYNECOL SURG 29:300)