An unusual case of placental chorangioma and intrauterine death: Implications for proper antenatal care and prompt diagnosis

We present an unusual case of placental chorangioma in a 32-year-old female with poor antenatal care. Abdominopelvic ultrasound revealed polyhydramnios with no fetal cardiac activity and suspected placental cyst. An emergency caesarean was performed, and she had still birth of male baby. The cut specimen of the placenta revealed a well-circumscribed marginal mass of 4 cm. Our case emphasizes the importance of regular antenatal screening for early detection of placental abnormalities. While chorangiomas are rare, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of placental masses. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are essential to reduce the maternal and fetal complications associated with chorangiomas. Histological examination of the placenta plays a vital role in differentiating chorangioma from other placental abnormalities with different clinical implications.

Successful Treatment of Placental Chorangiomas by Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous in utero Microcoil Embolization

Placental chorangiomas can cause a high-output fetal state and increase neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data published describing the optimal treatment of these cases, and methods for occlusion to date include placement of vascular clips, bipolar cautery, injection of alcohol or surgical glue, interstitial laser, and microcoil embolization. We report 2 cases of prenatally diagnosed chorangiomas that caused a high-output fetal state and were successfully treated with microcoil embolization. This case series describes our technique and supports microcoil embolization as a potentially safe and effective antenatal treatment option in symptomatic chorangiomas.

An epidemiological study investigating the relationship between chorangioma and infantile hemangioma

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to verify whether the infantile hemangioma (IH) incidence in children whose placentas showed a chorangioma is higher than in the general population, thus addressing the hypothesized relationship between chorangioma and IH.

METHODS

All chorangioma diagnoses by the 1st Service of Pathology, University of Padova in 2004-2010, based on the analysis of placentas sent by the Department of Gynecological Sciences and Human Reproduction (University of Padova), were identified. Demographic, anamnestic and clinical data were collected from the mothers and newborns; mothers and pediatricians were interviewed by telephone within 1 year after birth to verify if any IH appeared. The incidence rates of IH and other adverse events (IUGR, preterm delivery, cesarean section, stillbirth) were compared with national and regional data, when available, or with estimates from the scientific literature.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight chorangioma diagnoses were found. Of 33 infants born with a placenta affected by chorangioma, 18 infants had IH. The IH incidence recorded in our series (55%) was significantly higher than that recorded in national and regional surveys and in the scientific literature. Similar findings have been observed for the incidence of stillbirth, preterm birth and low birth weight incidence.

CONCLUSIONS

The IH incidence observed in our series appears to be significantly higher than that recorded among the general population, suggesting that an association between placental chorangioma and IH could exist which should be further verified in prospective studies.