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Are bilateral fetal lung masses double trouble?
G S Lipshutz1, J B Lopoo, R W Jennings
1Fetal Treatment Center, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy
|January 21, 2000
Summary
Bilateral fetal lung masses can have poor outcomes, especially with hydrops. Nonhydropic cases may be asymptomatic, aiding prenatal counseling for these rare lung conditions.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Bilateral fetal lung masses are rare congenital anomalies.
- Understanding their perinatal natural history is crucial for management and counseling.
- Previous studies primarily focused on unilateral lesions.
Observation:
- A 3-year review identified 3 cases of bilateral fetal pulmonary masses among 98 referrals.
- Two cases resulted in live births; one hydropic case led to mortality post-preterm delivery.
Findings:
- Hydropic fetuses with bilateral cystic lung lesions demonstrate a poor prognosis.
- Nonhydropic fetuses may remain asymptomatic, even with persistent postnatal lesions on CT scans.
Implications:
- Prognosis for bilateral fetal lung lesions differs significantly based on hydrops status.
- These findings can inform prenatal counseling for rare bilateral cystic lung conditions.
- Further research into the long-term outcomes of nonhydropic cases is warranted.