Abstract
Fetal intrapericardial teratomas are rare and benign cardiac tumors. By
comprehensive literature retrieval of the pertinent articles published since
2000, 49 articles with 61 cases of intrapericadial teratomas were recruited into
this study. The intrapericardial teratomas were found during pregnancy in 55
cases (fetal group), while the tumors were detected until neonatal period in 6
cases (neonatal group). In the fetal group, 15 cases were critical with
fetal/neonatal respiratory distress or cardiac tamponade. Antenatal
treatments including centesis, shunt placement, open fetal surgery and the ex
utero intrapartum treatment were required in 24 (43.6%) fetal cases.
Postnatal intubation was required in 19 cases with 18 of them having immediate
intubation after birth. Postnatal tumor resection was performed in 41
(95.3%) cases. In neonatal group, 4 neonates had respiratory distress
and/or cardiac tamponade. Neonatal intubation was required in 1
(16.7%) patient. Surgical tumor resection was performed in all 6
patients. A comparison between the fetal and neonatal groups revealed that the
fetal group was associated with higher refractory effusions while the neonatal
group had a higher incidence of respiratory distress. Although the all cause
death rate was higher in the fetal group than in the neonatal (25.5 vs.
0%), but lack of a statistical significance. Antenatal treatments for
fetal intrapericardial teratomas are feasible but carry higher risks in
comparison to neonatal cases.
Key words
Pericardial teratoma - fetal surgery - fetus - hydrops