Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787839
Epignathus: Role of Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathology—A Case Report
Abstract
This case report describes a rare and life threatening fetal condition, oropharyngeal teratoma (epignathus), diagnosed prenatally at 26 weeks. The fetus presented with polyhydramnios and a large mass obstructing the airway. Despite multidisciplinary planning for an ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure, the baby died shortly after birth due to severe respiratory distress. Histopathological examination confirmed a high grade immature teratoma. The report highlights the importance of prenatal diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, and potential interventions like EXIT procedures for improved outcomes. It also emphasizes the role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging in characterizing the tumor and planning delivery strategies. In cases that have been diagnosed early enough, termination of pregnancy can be an option after counseling.
Keywords
epignathus - oropharyngeal teratoma - fetal teratoma - prenatal MRI - prenatal interventionsPublication History
Article published online:
27 June 2024
© 2024. Society of Fetal Medicine. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
A-12, 2nd Floor, Sector 2, Noida-201301 UP, India
-
References
- 1 Demajumdar R, Bhat N. Epignathus: a germ-cell tumour presenting as neonatal respiratory distress. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1999; 47 (01) 87-90
- 2 Arisoy R, Erdogdu E, Kumru P. et al. Prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of fetal teratomas. J Clin Ultrasound 2016; 44 (02) 118-125
- 3 Peiró JL, Sbragia L, Scorletti F, Lim FY, Shaaban A. Management of fetal teratomas. Pediatr Surg Int 2016; 32 (07) 635-647
- 4 Ekici E, Soysal M, Kara S, Dogan M, Gokmen O. Prenatal diagnosis of epignathus causing acute polyhydramnios. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1996; 75 (05) 498-501
- 5 Simonini C, Strizek B, Berg C. et al. Fetal teratomas - a retrospective observational single-center study. Prenat Diagn 2021; 41 (03) 301-307
- 6 Banu S, Mohamad H, Dubey A. et al. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal immature oropharyngeal teratoma in the first trimester: a case report. J Foetal Med 2021; 8: 55-58