Prenatal therapy for pericardial teratomas.
Although the majority of reported pericardial teratomas have been excised successfully in the postnatal period, the outcome of prenatally diagnosed pericardial teratomas remains less favorable. Two recent cases of prenatally diagnosed pericardial teratomas and a review of previously reported cases suggest a new management algorithm for those pericardial teratomas discovered in utero. Fetuses in whom hydrops does not develop may be safely followed up and treated postnatally. However, if hydrops develops, the fetus requires treatment with either aspiration of the pericardial effusion, or fetal surgery and resection.
Bruch
S W
SW
Fetal Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, 94143-0570, USA.
Adzick
N S
NS
Reiss
R
R
Harrison
M R
MR
D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013724:Teratoma / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal