Premium
Early sonographic diagnosis of intrapericardial teratoma
Author(s) -
Catanzarite V.,
Mehalek K.,
Maida C.,
Mendoza A.
Publication year - 1994
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 - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1994.04060505.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pericardiocentesis , pericardial effusion , intracardiac injection , fetus , teratoma , radiology , surgery , pregnancy , biology , genetics
An intrapericardial teratoma associated with a large pleural effusion and elevated aortic outflow velocity was diagnosed at 23.6 weeks' gestation. Less than 4 weeks earlier, an obstetric scan, including a four‐chamber heart view, had been normal. In less than a week following diagnosis, fetal hydrops and bradycardia developed. ‘Heroic’ pericardiocentesis was declined by the patient, and the fetus died. This case demonstrates the potential for rapid growth in pericardial teratomas, and illustrates the possibility of anticipating fetal compromise from tumor mass effect, when intracardiac Doppler studies are abnormal. Implications for management of these rare tumors, and specifically for the hypothetical role of fetal surgery, are discussed. Copyright © 1994 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology