Spontaneous regression and reaccumulation of pleural effusion in a fetus. A case report.
Isolated pleural effusion is rare and occurs when varying degrees of fluid surround the fetal lung without concomitant hydrops. The effusion may regress spontaneously, remain stable in size, or progress to involve both sides of the chest causing fetal hydrops. This may result in pulmonary hypoplasia and fetal or neonatal demise. In this article, we report a case in which spontaneous resolution of an isolated right-sided fetal pleural effusion occurred at 23 weeks of gestation and reappeared bilaterally at 34 weeks. Serial ultrasonographic evaluation of the fetus should be continued even if a spontaneous resolution of a preexisting pleural effusion has occurred.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Başkent University School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey. eatarim@hotmail.com
Ebru
E
Tarim
Pelin
P
Oguzkurt
Esra
E
Kilicdag
Tayfun
T
Bağis
Serkan
S
Erkanli
Erdogan
E
Aslan
Arda
A
Lembet
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D012008:Recurrence; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal