title: Vanishing fetal lung malformations: Prenatal sonographic characteristics and postnatal outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the natural history and outcomes of prenatally diagnosed lung masses that appear to undergo complete regression before birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  An IRB-approved retrospective review was performed on 100 consecutive fetuses with a congenital lung malformation at a single fetal center. Prenatal and postnatal imaging as well as outcomes of vanishing fetal masses was analyzed and compared to those with persistent fetal masses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen lesions (17%) became sonographically undetectable at 35.3 ± 2.3 weeks gestation. Vanishing fetal masses were associated with microcystic disease (100% vs. 69%, p=0.005) and a low initial congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume ratio (CVR; 0.31 ± 0.35 vs. 0.70 ± 0.66, p=0.002) when compared to those with persistent fetal lesions. Based on postnatal CT imaging and pathology data, 10.3% of all fetal masses completely regressed. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of prenatal ultrasound for detecting lung malformations in late gestation were 96% and 43%, respectively. All infants with vanishing fetal lesions were asymptomatic at birth and were more likely to be managed nonoperatively (75% vs. 22%, p<0.0001) when compared to infants with persistent fetal masses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vanishing lung lesions late in gestation are relatively common and are associated with a low CVR and microcystic disease.
authors: Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery, C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: shaunkun@umich.edu.
authors: Shaun M
authors: SM
authors: Kunisaki
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors: Stacey
authors: S
authors: Ehrenberg-Buchner
authors: Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors: Jonathan R
authors: JR
authors: Dillman
authors: Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors: Ethan A
authors: EA
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Surgery, Section of Pediatric Surgery, C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors: George B
authors: GB
authors: Mychaliska
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors: Marjorie C
authors: MC
authors: Treadwell
mesh_terms: D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
keywords: Bronchopulmonary sequestration; Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM); Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM); Fetal lung lesions; Prenatal ultrasound