Benign chorioangioma of the placenta is the most common primary tumor of the placenta followed by the hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma. Only two nontrophoblastic primary placental tumors are known to occur: The relatively common
chorioangioma,
and
the extremely rate teratoma. Most chorioangioma are small and only detected by careful sectioning of the placenta. Large, externally visible chorioangioma, although uncommon, may result in both maternal and fetal complications.
The incidence of chorioangioma is still an unsettled issue varying between one in 3,500 and one in 9,000 placentas because of overlooking at examination of the placenta. Large tumors more than 4cm in diameter are clinically important. The
maternal
complication of polyhydramnios, preeclampsia, and premature labor are those described in the chorioangioma syndrome. The neonatal complications include microangiopathic anemia, thrombocytopenia, hemolysis, low birth weight, and neonatal death. In
this
respect, the importance of ultrasound in the diagnosis of placental chorioangioma has now been recognized.
In this paper, a case of large chorioangioma in a viable pregnancy, associated with hydroamnios, preterm labor, is presented with the brief review of the literature related to this type of tumor.
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