title: Color Doppler score: a new approach for monitoring a large placental chorioangioma.
abstract: We employed color Doppler score as an innovative approach for the prenatal diagnosis and monitoring of a large placental chorioangioma case diagnosed at 26 weeks and the subjective semiquantitative assessment of the vascularization. The blood flow was assessed by a color Doppler score based on the intensity of the color signal with the following value ranges: (1) no flow, (2) minimal flow, (3) moderate flow, and (4) high vascular flow. Weekly examinations were programmed. Initially, a color Doppler score 3 was assigned, remaining unchanged at the following two exams and decreasing to Score 2 in the following 2 exams and to Score 1 thereafter. The ultrasonographic scan showed an increase of the mass size at the second and third exams and was followed by an arrest of the growth persisting for the rest of the pregnancy. Some hyperechogenic spots inside the mass appeared at the end. Expectant management was opted for, and the delivery was at 39, 2 weeks and maternal and fetal outcomes were favourable. The color Doppler score employed for assessment of vascularization in successive examinations proved to be an important tool for the prediction of the chorioangioma involution, and this new approach of monitoring allowed effective surveillance and successful tailored management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Fetal Therapy, Microcitemico Hospital, Jenner Street, 09121 Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Angelica
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zoppi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Fetal Therapy, Microcitemico Hospital, Jenner Street, 09121 Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Fetal Therapy, Microcitemico Hospital, Jenner Street, 09121 Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Ambra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iuculano
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Fetal Therapy, Microcitemico Hospital, Jenner Street, 09121 Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arras
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Fetal Therapy, Microcitemico Hospital, Jenner Street, 09121 Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mulas
authors.affiliation: San Francesco Hospital, Mannironi Street, 08100 Nuoro, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Carmela
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fadda
authors.affiliation: San Francesco Hospital, Mannironi Street, 08100 Nuoro, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6053-3149
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Fetal Therapy, Microcitemico Hospital, Jenner Street, 09121 Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7386-5967
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Monni