Prenatal diagnosis of a large fetal cervical teratoma by three-dimensional ultrasonography: a case report.
BACKGROUND
The cervical teratomas are rare, benign tumors, they are formed by the three embryonic layers, and they represent only 6% of teratomas. The prognosis depends mainly on the size and location of the lesion, on the tumor growth rate, and on the level of tracheal compression. Prenatal diagnosis is usually reached with the aid of a two-dimensional ultrasonography (2DUS) after the 15th week of gestation, which shows a large heterogeneous mass in the cervical region, plus a polyhydramnios, on the Doppler mode which also shows the vascularization of the tumor.


METHODS
We report a case of cervical teratoma diagnosed on the 31st week of gestation with the aid of a 2DUS and color Doppler mode. We focus on the main findings obtained with the three-dimensional ultrasonography in surface mode, and we highlight the importance of this methodology for the indirect evaluation of the neonatal prognosis.
Araujo Júnior
Edward
E
Department of Obstetrics, Sao Paulo's Federal University (Unifesp/EPM), Napoleão de Barros Street, 871 Vila Clementino, 04024-002 São Paulo, Brazil. araujojred@terra.com.br
Guimarães Filho
Hélio A
HA
Saito
Mauricio
M
Pires
Alexandra B
AB
Pontes
Ana Letícia S
AL
Nardozza
Luciano M M
LM
Moron
Antonio Fernandes
AF
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D005865:Gestational Age; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D013724:Teratoma / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*