Successful management of a large fetal mediastinal teratoma complicated by hydrops fetalis

Abstract

This report describes a case of fetal mediastinal teratoma complicated by hydrops fetalis managed successfully by aspiration of the tumor cyst fluid. Fetal mediastinal teratomas are rare tumors that cause hydrops fetalis or fetal demise in the prenatal period and respiratory distress in the neonatal period. The patient presented with a large cystic mass in the thoracic cavity complicated by hydrops fetalis. The hydrops resolved after fetal aspiration of the tumor cyst fluid. The infant was born without respiratory distress, and tumor resection was performed at the age of 30 days. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was in good health 6 months postoperatively.