Abstract
Placental hemangiomas exist only histologically. While many are clinically harmless, they can cause fetal growth restriction and fetal anemia. We report our case and discuss the need for color Doppler during placental examinations with ultrasonography. The patient was referred to our hospital for fetal growth restriction at 31 weeks of gestation. There were no obvious abnormalities in the medical history, foetation, or fetal appendages. Chromosome tests had not been performed, but the diagnosis was fetal growth restriction for which no obvious cause could be identified. Subsequent B-mode ultrasonography revealed that part of the placenta was less bright than the other placental parenchyma, and color Doppler was performed. As a result, an abundant increase in blood flow was observed, and placental hemangioma was diagnosed. As a policy of controlled delivery, labor was induced and the baby was delivered at 37 weeks of gestation. The child weighed 2,162 g, with Apgar scores of 9 and 10 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. No complications such as anemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or heart failure were observed in the infant. A slightly red mass measuring 4×6 cm was found in the delivered placenta. Histological examination revealed that the mass was a hemangioma, and a small infarct image was also found around the hemangioma. The hemangioma in this case was not small, but the B-mode imaging findings were such that it was difficult to distinguish it from the normal placental parenchyma. Routine use of color Doppler as well as B-mode ultrasonography for placental evaluation and screening during pregnancy may be warranted.
