Published in The Journal of surgical research
Congenital pleural effusion is a rare condition with an incidence of approximately one per 15,000 pregnancies. The development of secondary hydrops is a poor prognostic indicator and such cases can be managed with a thoracoamniotic shunt (TAS). Our objective is to describe postnatal outcomes in survivors after TAS placement for congenital pleural e...
Published in Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term neurodevelopmental and respiratory outcome after fetal therapy for fetal pleural effusion, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, and bronchopulmonary sequestration. Methods: Children ≥18 months of age underwent an assessment of neurologic, motor, and cognitive development. Medical r...
Published in Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
We report a case of a fetus diagnosed at 28 weeks’ gestation with a spontaneous prenatal hemothorax. Fetal intervention consisted of 2 thoracenteses with analysis of the pleural effusion. The pregnancy was further complicated by recurrence of the hemothorax, with subsequent mediastinal shift, hydrops, and nonreassuring antenatal testing requiring d...
Published in Journal of pediatric surgery
The prenatal natural history of intralobar and extralobar bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPSs), including lesion growth patterns and need for prenatal intervention, have not been fully characterized. We review our series of BPSs to determine their natural history and outcomes in the context of the need for prenatal intervention. A retrospective r...
Published in The Journal of surgical research
Primary hydrothorax is a congenital anomaly affecting 1 in 10,000-15,000 pregnancies. The natural history of this condition is variable with some fetuses having spontaneous resolution and others showing progression. The associated pulmonary hypoplasia leads to increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Optimal prenatal intervention remains contro...
Published in Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of thoracoamniotic shunts for drainage of macrocystic-type congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM). Subjects and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 12 fetuses with a large thoracic cyst treated with thoracoamniotic shunting between 2004 and 2014 in a tertiary fetal therapy center. Medline was ...
Published in Seminars in pediatric surgery
Congenital lung lesions are common sonographic findings in pregnancy, usually detected at the routine 20 weeks scan. The most common is cystic adenomatous malformation of the lung (CCAM). This usually causes few prenatal problems; however, fetal hydrops occurs in about 5%. Prenatal intervention for these is possible in many to allow survival to bir...
Published in Journal of Pediatric Surgery
ObjectivePrimary hydrothorax is a rare congenital anomaly with outcomes ranging from spontaneous resolution to fetal demise. We reviewed our experience with fetuses diagnosed with primary hydrothorax to evaluate prenatal management strategies. MethodsWe reviewed the records of patients evaluated for fetal pleural effusions at our Fetal Treatment Ce...
Published in Surgery Today
The indications for and timing of surgical removal of a dislodged thoracoamniotic shunt double-basket catheter are not established, and the side effects of the dislodged into the thoracic cavity remain controversial. The double-basket catheter was designed to reduce the incidence of catheter dislodgement; however, we have encountered four cases of ...
Published in Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
Introduction: The management of primary fetal pleural effusion remains a challenge for clinicians given the paucity of clinical information to guide practice. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of cases referred for management to our fetal therapy center over a 10-year period. Survival to hospital discharge was evaluated again...
