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VOL. 8, ISSUE 3 (2026)
When benign turns fatal: a sonographic case of giant placental chorioangioma causing non-immune fetal hydrops and intrauterine death
Authors
Dr. Mirza Sanaulla, Dr. Vishwaprem Raj D R, Dr. Sandeep Kumar S, Dr. Sugavasi Githesh Kumar, Dr. Krushik T R
Abstract
Placental chorioangioma is the most common
benign vascular tumour of the placenta, occurring in approximately 1% of
pregnancies, although clinically significant giant lesions larger than 4–5 cm
are rare. Large chorioangiomas can behave as arteriovenous shunts, producing
high-output fetal cardiac failure, anaemia, polyhydramnios and, ultimately,
non-immune fetal hydrops. We report a 26-year-old woman who presented at 27
weeks and 4 days of gestation with decreased fetal movements. Grayscale
ultrasonography revealed a well-circumscribed, heterogeneously hypoechoic mass
along the anterior surface of the placenta measuring approximately 9.2 × 11.9
cm, and colour Doppler demonstrated prominent internal vascular channels,
consistent with a giant placental chorioangioma. The fetus showed features of
non-immune hydrops, including scalp oedema, bilateral pleural effusion, ascites
and cardiomegaly, with no maternal risk factors or serological evidence of
immune hydrops. Despite supportive monitoring, intrauterine fetal demise
occurred shortly after presentation, attributed to high-output cardiac failure
from the vascular tumour. This case highlights that early antenatal detection
with ultrasound and colour Doppler is crucial, as complications correlate
strongly with tumour size and vascularity, and that timely diagnosis is
essential for counselling and management.
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Pages:51-53
How to cite this article:
Dr. Mirza Sanaulla, Dr. Vishwaprem Raj D R, Dr. Sandeep Kumar S, Dr. Sugavasi Githesh Kumar, Dr. Krushik T R "When benign turns fatal: a sonographic case of giant placental chorioangioma causing non-immune fetal hydrops and intrauterine death". International Journal of Radiology Research, Vol 8, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 51-53
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