Abstract

Chorioangioma is the most common primary tumor of the placenta. It is widely accepted to be formed from hamartomatous proliferation of angioblastic cells in early placenta. According to groups who systematically examined the placentas with the greatest scrutiny, the incidence of chorioangioma is 1~1.2% of all placentas examined. The clinical implication of chorioangioma has been emphasized due to its high association with hydramnios, antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage, premature onset of labor, or intrauterine fetal distress or death. The authors experienced a case of a 38-year old multigravida who had undergone 4 consecutive spontaneous abortions. The fifth pregnancy was carried to 35 weeks whereupon a dead fetus was delivered. The placenta was enlarged(950 gm) with multiple protruding nodules into the fetal surface. Microscopically, the nodule was composed of many vilous structures lined by chorionic epithelium. Within these structures was proliferation of endothelial lined capillaries some of which demonstrated ectatic change.