Placental Tumor from an East African Bongo (Eurycerus isaaci) Fetus

Abstract

This case report describes a placental tumor from a stillborn East African bongo fetus. On gross examination, the tumor was reminiscent of a chorangioma; however, based on histomorphology, histochemical and immunophenotypic characterization, comparison to 21 human cases of chorangioma, and embryogenesis, this tumor is hypothesized to be a placental stem cell tumor. Histologically, the tumor had 2, often comingled morphologies with one area having dense cellularity and scant vascularity and a second area having scant cellularity and prominent vascularity. Pleomorphic mesenchymal cells were arranged in intersecting fascicles, often whorled around, or were contiguous with vascular channels and had features of skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, pericyte, endothelial, fibrous, and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. Phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin outlined cross-striations in some cells. cells variably were immunoreactive for vimentin, CD31, von Willebrand factor VIII, desmin, muscle specific actin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and skeletal myosin and negative for cytokeratin antigens. The relationship of this tumor to the presence of fetal musculoskeletal and omental anomalies is discussed.