title: Retrospective chart review of 44 fetuses with cervicofacial tumors in the sonographic assessment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this retrospective study was to review and analyze ultrasonography examinations and follow-up of fetuses with cervicofacial tumors to develop bases for counseling specialist involved in perinatal treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consisted of case series with chart review of 44 fetuses with cervicofacial tumors diagnosed in utero by ultrasonography. The study was carried in Department of Diagnosis and Prevention of Congenital Malformations, Medical University of Lodz in years 1998-2013. The analysis of the fetuses with cervicofacial tumors included assessment of fetal sonographic features, neonatal survival and in utero as well as perinatal treatments. The obtained data were analyzed by the standard statistical tests and the Pearson's Chi square test, statistical significance at p=0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cervicofacial tumors were detected at mean 19±7 weeks of gestation. Eighty-two percent of the fetuses were males. Lymphatic malformations followed by teratomas were the most common fetal tumors in the cervicofacial region. In most cases, fetuses with cervicofacial tumors had other abnormalities. Mortality rate in our case series was 43%. In utero treatment was introduced in 6 fetuses. In 4 neonates prenatal sonographic assessment revealed upper airway patency and EXIT procedure (ex-utero intrapartum treatment) was introduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prenatal sonographic detection of cervicofacial tumor, in case of lymphatic malformations possibly as early as in the first trimester, in case of craniofacial teratomas, cervical teratomas, hemangiomas and thyroid tumors possibly as early as in the second trimester, and in case of epignathi possibly in the third trimester, permits planning further course of pregnancy as well as EXIT procedure before delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: rafal.zielinski@umed.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Rafal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zielinski
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnosis and Prevention of Congenital Malformations, Polish Mother Memorial Hospital, Chair of Morphology and Embryology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Respondek-Liberska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D044148:Lymphatic Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013724:Teratoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cervicofacial; EXIT procedure; Fetal; Prenatal; Tumor; Ultrasound