Management of fetal teratomas.
Fetal teratomas are the most common tumors diagnosed prenatally. The majority of these tumors are benign and cured by complete resection of the mass during the neonatal period. Prenatal diagnosis has improved the perinatal management of these lesions and especially for the teratomas that might benefit from fetal intervention. A comprehensive prenatal evaluation including conventional ultrasounds, Doppler, echocardiography and fetal MRI, is essential for an effective counseling and perinatal management. Antenatal counseling helps the parents to better understand the natural history, fetal intervention, and perinatal management of these tumors, which differ dramatically depending on their size and location. Fetal surgical debulking improves survival in cases of sacrococcygeal teratoma with cardiac decompensation. Additionally, the use of an EXIT procedure reduces the morbidity and mortality if a complicated delivery in cases of cervical and mediastinal teratomas. Here, we offer an overview of all fetal teratomas and their recommended management, with emphasis on in utero treatment options.
Cincinnati Fetal Center, Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 11025, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA. jose.peiroibanez@cchmc.org.
Jose L
JL
Peiró
Cincinnati Fetal Center, Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 11025, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA.
Lourenço
L
Sbragia
Cincinnati Fetal Center, Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 11025, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA.
Federico
F
Scorletti
Cincinnati Fetal Center, Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 11025, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA.
Foong Y
FY
Lim
Cincinnati Fetal Center, Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 11025, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3039, USA.
Aimen
A
Shaaban
D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013724:Teratoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*
Congenital teratoma; Fetal tumors; Perinatal management; Prenatal diagnosis