A rare case of intra-uterine blood transfusion for fetal anemia caused by a giant placental chorioangioma

Objectives Chorioangiomas (CAs) are the most frequent tumor-like-lesions of the placenta. Giant CAs (more than 4–5 cm in diameter) is rare and may result in severe maternal fetal complications. Case presentation A 38-year-old multigravida presented at 31 weeks’ gestation with contractions. Upon evaluation, contractions were spontaneously ceased, and the cervix was closed. Ultrasound examination revealed a single viable fetus, polyhydramnios and a 75 x 48 x 82 mm vascular lesion located on the placental surface near the cord insertion. Doppler assessment was suggestive of fetal anemia with middle cerebral artery-peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) 1.8 MoM’s. Fetal heart rate monitoring and biophysical scores were reassuring. Following betamethasone fetal cord sampling that revealed fetal hemoglobin level of 8.8 g/dL, 57 cc of blood was transfused resulting in final hemoglobin level of 14.3 g/dL measured prior to needle extraction. MCA-PSV was normalized immediately after the procedure, however aggravated at the following day with MCA-PSV 65 cm/s (1.46 MoM’s). No other intervention was taken and MCA-PSV continued to fluctuate from slight to severe anemia spontaneously over a period of two weeks. At 34 gestational weeks, the women delivered a healthy baby. Fetal hemoglobin level at delivery was 21 g/dL. Conclusions Fetal blood transfusion is a reasonable treatment for fetal anemia in cases of giant chorioangiomas. Following transfusion, MCA-PSV may act unexpectedly reflecting various mechanisms affecting the flow.