Thoracoamniotic shunting with double-basket catheters for fetal chylothorax in the second trimester.
The progress of a fetal severe pleural effusion at mid-trimester is extremely poor. We encountered a fetus that developed a severe left pleural effusion at 21 weeks of gestation. The pleural effusion was removed by thoracocentesis at 22 weeks. Cytology revealed abundant lymphocytes, suggesting chylothorax. However, a reaccumulation of pleural effusion with hydrops was subsequently noted, and a thoracoamniotic shunt with double-basket catheters was installed at 23 weeks. The pleural effusion decreased after 24 weeks and completely disappeared at 26 weeks. At 40 weeks of gestation, a female infant was born by vaginal delivery, with no evidence of pleural effusion. We would like to stress that thoracoamniotic shunt with double-basket catheters in the second trimester is effective for pleural effusion with hydrops.
Murabayashi
N
N
Department of Reproductive Biology Science and Perinatal Medicine, Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu City, Mie, Japan.
Sugiyama
T
T
Kusaka
H
H
Sagawa
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D046128:Fetal Therapies / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography