Intrapericardial teratoma in the newborn--3D-echocardiography and course of disease

Intrapericardial teratoma is a rare tumour which may become life threatening when it causes mediastinal compression. Early sonographic detection and careful evaluation is necessary for further management. In this paper, we present a case with a large intrapericardial teratoma diagnosed in utero (25 + 0 weeks). After birth, 3D-echocardiography was particularly helpful in obtaining a comprehensive view of the three-dimensional structure of this complex tumour, in order to determine tumour extension and attachment before surgical excision. This case illustrates the opportunities which new, noninvasive echocardiographic tools create to aid therapeutic management and surgical therapy of critically ill patients.