Case Series: Seventeen Year Institutional Review of Placental Chorangiomas

Abstract Introduction/Objective Chorangioma is a rare tumor occurring in less than 0.5 - 1% of all pregnancies. Small chorangiomas (< 4cm) are mostly asymptomatic and incidental. Large chorangiomas (> 4 cm) may be associated with various fetal complications and complicated pregnancies. The aim of our study is to assess the ultrasound detection rate of these lesions. Methods A retrospective study of chorangioma cases seen at Vidant Medical Center between 2003 to 2019 was conducted. Size of the lesion, detection on prenatal imaging, gestational weeks at delivery, maternal age and pregnancy related fetal and maternal complications were analyzed. Results A total of 25761 placentas were examined from 2003 to 2019 in Vidant Medical Center. Out of these only thirty-nine cases (0.15%) of chorangioma were found. 41% of these women were above 30 years of age. 36 patients were non-Hispanic. 92.3 % (36 cases) of these lesions were less than 4cm and 7.6 %(3 cases) were above 4 cm, with only one recent case of 7.0 cm in greatest dimension. 92% of the total patients presented with complicated pregnancies. Preeclampsia, preterm delivery, gestational hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation were among the most common complications observed. 3 patients presented with oligohydramnios. Interestingly, none of the lesions were detected on prenatal ultrasound. Conclusion Large chorangiomas(>4 cm) are rare but are known to be associated with adverse fetal outcomes. Our seventeen year institutional review shows the largest chorangioma to be 7 cm in greatest dimension. Regular ultrasound monitoring is required to pick up these benign lesions early and prevent adverse outcomes. A retrospective review is needed to determine why the lesions in our study were not detected radiographically.