Pericardial teratoma complicated by hydrops: successful fetal therapy by thoracoamniotic shunting.

Pericardial teratoma is a potentially curable lesion that may become life threatening when it induces mediastinal compression and fetal hydrops. So far, cases with fetal hydrops have been managed by elective delivery or pericardial needle decompression. We report a case in which pericardial teratoma resulted in fetal hydrops. Following transpleural needling of the fetal pericardium at 29 weeks and 6 days, pericardial effusion decreased but hydrops persisted, while major unilateral pleural effusion appeared. A thoracoamniotic shunt was placed at 30 weeks and 5 days. Hydrops resolved, although incompletely. The baby was delivered at 32 weeks and was operated upon on day 3. This observation suggests that fetal hydrops associated with pericardial teratoma may improve following thoracoamniotic shunting. Fetal therapy may limit the risks of respiratory distress arising from the combined effect of airways compression and lung immaturity. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.