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Case report
Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI): an under-recognised condition with potential serious sequelae in pregnancy
  1. Ai Xin Lee1,
  2. Brian Run Yi Tan2,
  3. Chye Lee Kho3 and
  4. Kim Teng Tan3
  1. 1Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
  2. 2Department of Geriatrics, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
  3. 3Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
  1. Correspondence to Dr Kim Teng Tan; tan.kim.teng{at}singhealth.com.sg

Abstract

Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) is a rare placental disorder associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and high recurrence rates in subsequent pregnancies. We discuss a case of CHI diagnosed incidentally in a young primigravida who presented with a first trimester miscarriage. CHI is usually diagnosed after an adverse pregnancy outcome by microscopic placental histopathology. Currently, CHI is a poorly understood condition by clinicians in many aspects, including its aetiology and subsequent management of patients in their future pregnancies. This is due to the lack of awareness and underdiagnosis of CHI among general pathologists and obstetricians. The authors would like to highlight this interesting case to encourage more research on CHI to understand its pathophysiology and optimal management better. Clinicians should also focus on providing holistic care to this group of patients by considering the impact of adverse pregnancy outcomes on their emotional well-being.

  • obstetrics and gynaecology
  • pregnancy
  • materno-fetal medicine
  • pathology
  • psychiatry

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-241637

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors AXL performed the literature review and drafted the majority of the case report. BRYT contributed to the literature review and manuscript specifically on the histopathology of CHI and source for the histopathological images. CLK wrote the case presentation and edited the case report. KTT was the overall supervisor, planned the overall presentation of this case report and provided expertise from an obstetric's perspective. All authors have agreed on the final manuscript to be published in BMJ Case Reports.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.