Successful prenatal and perinatal management of a massive cervicofacial teratoma

Abstract

We report a fetus with a massive cervicofacial teratoma successfully managed in the prenatal and perinatal period. A 34-year-old woman was referred to our hospital at 16 weeks' gestation. Ultrasound examination revealed a left anterolateral fetal neck mass indicating typical findings of a teratoma. The tumor grew to tremendous size until occupying most of the uterine cavity causing severe discomfort for the patient. This necessitated ultrasound-guided removal of the intracystic fluid of the massive cervicofacial teratoma during pregnancy. Fetal MRI clearly demonstrated the mass extending from the orbit to the anterior chest wall without compression or deviation of the fetal airway. The entire mass increased to 18 cm in diameter at 37 weeks' gestation. Classical cesarean section was performed immediately after ultrasound-guided removal of the fluid from the cyst. A female infant weighing 3562 g was delivered. Resection of the tumor was accomplished on day 28 of life. The successful outcome in our case illustrates the value of accurate prenatal diagnosis of a giant cervicofacial teratoma using ultrasound and MRI, and careful management of the mother and fetus during the prenatal and perinatal period. It seems that ultrasound-guided removal of the intracystic fluid from the tumor during pregnancy should be considered to prevent preterm delivery.

Keywords: Fetal MRI; Fetal ultrasound; Massive cervicofacial teratoma; Polyhydramnios; Prenatal diagnosis.