[Chorioangioma--sonographic diagnosis and clinical significance]

This paper presents two cases of large placental chorioangiomas associated with polyhydramnios, detected in the 25th and 27th week of pregnancy, respectively, using ultrasound. The tumors produced complex echo-pattern with transonic and echogenic areas. In the one case, the fetus, malformed by an omphalocele, was spontaneously aborted in the 25th week. In the other case, regular contractions, resistant to any therapy, and fetal asphyxia urged delivery by Caesarean section in the 27th week. The neonate died from pulmonal prematurity. The reported complications associated with large chorioangiomas and perinatal mortality up to 80%, according to the literature, underline the need for early sonographic diagnosis.