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Cardiac diverticulum with pericardial effusion: report of two new cases treated by in‐utero pericardiocentesis and a review of the literature
Author(s) -
McAuliffe F. M.,
Hornberger L. K.,
Johnson J.,
Chitayat D.,
Ryan G.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.1856
Subject(s) - medicine , pericardiocentesis , pericardial effusion , diverticulum (mollusc) , in utero , effusion , cardiac tamponade , surgery , radiology , fetus , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Congenital cardiac diverticula are rare abnormalities that may occur as isolated malformations. They are often associated with pericardial effusions, which may cause both pulmonary hypoplasia and progressive fetal hydrops. Few cases are reported in fetal life. Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, has previously reported two cases of cardiac diverticula complicated with pericardial effusion successfully treated in utero with aspiration of the pericardial fluid. Here a further two cases of isolated apical right ventricular diverticula with large pericardial effusion, one diagnosed at 16 weeks and another at 13 weeks' gestation are described. In‐utero drainage of pericardial effusion was performed once in each case at 16 and 14 weeks' gestation, respectively, with good neonatal outcome. Both had normal karyotype and there was no evidence of maternal or fetal infection. The pericardial effusion did not recur in either case. Given the otherwise favorable prognosis for this lesion, and the excellent response in these cases, prenatal pericardiocentesis should be considered in similar cases. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.