Background

Chorioangiomas are benign placenta tumors histologically corresponding either to hamartomas derived from primitive chorionic mesenchyma or placental hemangiomas arising from chorionic plate [1]. Large or giant chorioangiomas, defined as measuring more than 4–5 cm in diameter, have an estimated prevalence varying from one in 9000 to one in 50 000 pregnancies [1], and have been associated with a number of fetal complications including anemia, polyhydramnios, hyperdynamic circulation and cardiomegaly, hydrops, and growth restriction [2–6]. In view of these complications and the associated high perinatal death rate (30–40%), a number of therapeutic interventions have been attempted with limited success in most cases [5, 7, 8].

Here we report a case of giant chorioangioma, fetal hydrops, additionally complicated by severe anemia, mild cardiomegaly with hyperdinamic heart circulation and maternal mirror syndrome.

Case presentation

A 34-year-old woman, gravida 1, was referred to our Department at 29 weeks´ gestation because of placental chorioangioma, severe hydrops fetalis, suspected fetal anemia and maternal mirror syndrome (Ballantine’s syndrome), previously not detected. Ultrasound examination confirmed fetal hydrops with hydrothorax and ascitis, fetal anemia (middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity: 74.3 cm/sg with an estimated haemoglobin of 7.14 g/dl), polyhydramnios (maximum pocket 14), estimated fetal weight of 2460 g and mild cardiomegaly (cardiac area more than 1/3 of thoracic area) with hyperdinamic heart circulation. In addition, ultrasound examination showed the presence of a heterogenous hypoechoic area of 70x56 mm, with color Doppler showing a specific blood supply, both consistent with diagnosis of chorioangioma (Figure1). Maternal examination was consistent with mirror syndrome (edema, oliguria, anemia, elevated liver enzymes, hypoproteinemia and hypokalemia). Blood pressure was normal. At 29 + 1 weeks, treatment with 12 mg betamethasone injections (two doses separated in 24hours) was given; intrauterine transfusion (IUT) of 80 ml of packed red blood cell suspension with a 70% hematocrit was performed, and followed by amniodrainage. Initial fetal hematocrit was 7 g/dL and final one was 12 g/dL. 1800 ml of amniotic fluid were drained, reducing maximum pocket to 5 cm. Within the next hour preterm labor developed, therapy with atosiban and nifedipine was initiated and the contractions subsided. At 29 + 5 weeks’ gestation, fetal ultrasound showed worsening of the fetal hydrothorax as well as pulsatility index of the umbilical artery over 95th centile. In addition, worsening of the maternal mirror syndrome (pleural effusion and increasing levels of liver enzymes)was noted. Worsening of the fetal and maternal condition prompted us to proceed with delivery at 29 + 5 weeks’. A thoracocentesis to optimise the neonatal resuscitation was performed in the operating room, and was immediately followed by the caesarean section. The newborn weighed 2503 g and apgar score was 1 and 4 at 1 and 5 min. The newborn died 3 hours later due to pulmonary hypoplasia and hemodynamic failure. Maternal course was favourable, mirror syndrome resolved in the second day and the patient was discharged four days following delivery. Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of placental chorioangioma (Figure2). Microscopic examination showed that the chorioangioma was composed of predominantly capillary vascular areas in the fibroid matrix.

Figure 1
figure 1

Color Doppler of giant placental choriangioma.

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Figure 2
figure 2

Macroscopic view of giant placental choriangioma.

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Discussion

Around 50% of large chorioangiomas cases develop fetal and maternal complications that required either elective delivery or intervention for tumor-related effects [9].

Chorioangiomas may act as peripheral arteriovenous shunts, leading to increased cardiac output, cardiomegaly and finally heart failure and hydrops, additionally complicated by fetal anemia in some cases [2–6]. When complications appear late in pregnancy, the best option is delivery. However, complications may appear earlier and delivery may be a problem due to fetal prematurity. Thus, different interventions have been proposed to prevent fetal loss related to large fetal chorioangioma complications. Amniodrainage for alleviating polyhydramnios [3, 5, 7] and intrauterine transfusions in the presence of fetal anemia are two of the most common therapeutic procedures [7, 10–12], although results are favorable, the problem that causes increased peripheral flow through the chorioangioma, it is not solved with amniodrainage or fetal transfusion. For that reason, other approaches have been used to stop vascular supply to the tumor and consequent heart failure. In addition to amniodrainage or fetal transfusion, different techniques have been used as injection of absolute alcohol [13–15], endoscopic laser coagulation [16, 17], and interstitial laser therapy [4, 7], endoscopic suture with bipolar electrosurgery [18], and microcoil and embucrilate embolization, the last two procedures without survivors [9, 13, 18]. Table 1 summarize a literature review of therapy (excluding amniodrainage alone) and the presence/absence of hydrops as well as other complications in chorioangioma cases. When analysing the overall results of intraturine interventions, it is also remarkable that mortality in cases without fetal hydrops is 10%, while mortality in cases with fetal hydrops raises to 67%. In fact, all successful intersticial laser procedures [4, 7] were performed to prevent the development of fetal hydrops.

Table 1 Literature review of therapy (excluding amniodrainage alone), presence/absence of hydrops, and other complications in giant chorioangioma cases
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Mirror syndrome (Ballantyne’s syndrome) is usually defined as maternal edema associated to fetal hydrops [19]. Different fetal conditions have been related to mirror syndrome, although pathogenesis and pathofisiology of Ballantyne’s syndrome is currently unknown [19]. Mirror syndrome associated to large placental chorioangiomas has been described only a few times [20–23] and maternal edema has been always present, as was in our case. In addition, other clinical markers also been reported as oliguria, anemia, elevated liver enzymes, hypoproteinemia and hypokalemia were also present in our patient. Additional clinical signs and symptoms described in Mirror syndrome related to large chorioangiomas such as elevated blood pressure, proteinuria, elevated uric acid and creatinine, headache and visual disturbances, and low platelets were absent in our case, which made easier differential diagnosis with preeclampsia. As described elsewhere [19] mirror syndrome disappears shortly after fetal hydrops successful treatment, pregnancy termination or delivery, as in the patient presented here.

Conclusions

In the case described here, which presented with fetal anemia and severe hydrops, additionally complicated by maternal mirror syndrome, intrauterine transfusion and amniodrainage were performed. However, fetal condition got worse despite of the anemia correction. Finally, an emergency cesarean section, after thoracocentesis to optimise the neonatal resuscitation, was performed due to worsening of maternal and fetal condition and to prevent fetal demise. Current data and experience from clinical practice are still scanty to support the effectiveness of intrauterine therapy procedures in chorioangioma complicated cases, specially in cases with fetal hydrops, which led us to attempt a more conservative approach. However, our outcome raises the issue whether additional intrauterine clinical intervention, as intersticial laser, should have been performed to stop further deterioration of the fetal condition when progressive severe hydrops develops.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images, as it is our usual publication policy according to our Internal Review Board instructions.