Mesenchymal stem villous hyperplasia of the placenta and fetal growth restriction

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem villous hyperplasia of the placenta is a rare placental anomaly characterized by placental vascular malformation and the appearance of a partial mole. CASE: A multiparous woman presented with fetal growth restriction (FGR) at 35 weeks' gestation. Ultrasonographic examination showed multiple anechoic lesions on the placental surface. Cesarean delivery was performed at 37 wee ks' gestation, and a healthy 1536-g female was delivered. The placenta had aneurysmal dilatations of the chorionic vessels. Unlike other cases, it als o showed subamniotic hemorrhage and had no features of a partial mole. Hist ologic examination established the diagnosis of mesenchymal stem villous hy perplasia of the placenta with severe thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Fetal growth restriction can be caused by severe thrombosis in this placental anomaly. (Obstet Gynecol 2001;98:940-3. (C) 2001 by the Amer ican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.).