title: Fetal cystic hygroma: prenatal diagnosis and management.
abstract: Seventeen cases of fetal cystic hygroma detected during ultrasound examination are reported. In nine instances, associated abnormalities were recognized, such as fetal hydrops and a two-vessel cord. All diagnoses were confirmed at autopsy. Karyotyping revealed normal findings in six cases, Turner's syndrome in eight cases, and Edwards' syndrome in one case; culture failure occurred in the remaining two cases. An ultrasound diagnosis of cystic hygroma should be followed by a careful search for other anomalies and by fetal karyotyping. Afterward, genetic counseling is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pijpers
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reuss
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wladimiroff
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Sachs
mesh_terms: D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D014463:Ultrasonography