Massive pericardial effusion treated with in utero pericardioamniotic shunt in a fetus with intrapericardial teratoma.
Teratoma is the leading neoplasm diagnosed in neonates and infants. Although over 99% of teratomas found in the fetus and newborn are histologically benign, those tumors may cause death if vital structures are involved or if the airway is compromised. We review the literature on antenatal intrapericardial teratomas and report a case of intrapericardial teratoma, with massive pericardial effusion and fetal hydrops, diagnosed on antenatal ultrasound at 21 weeks of gestation. Pericardioamniotic shunt was placed at 22 weeks and 6 days gestational age. In spite of successful drainage of the pericardial effusion, fetal demise was documented 8 days later, likely due to tumor compression of the heart.
Steffensen
Thora S
TS
Department of Pathology, University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Quintero
Ruben A
RA
Kontopoulos
Eftichia V
EV
Gilbert-Barness
Enid
E
D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005333:Fetus / Q000601:surgery; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D013724:Teratoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal