Laser ablation of foetal microcystic lung lesion: successful outcome and rationale for its use

A foetus with an echodense, microcystic lung lesion complicated by non-immune hydrops has a high mortality rate. Because of the limited treatment options available, laser ablation was offered in an attempt to reduce the size of the lesion and reduce hydrops fetalis.

A 25-year-old nulliparous woman presented at 21 weeks gestation. Ultrasound revealed a male foetus with a large microcystic right sided lung lesion that completely occupied the right hemithorax causing marked mediastinal deviation. The foetus was hydropic with polyhydramnios. Percutaneous laser ablation of the large microcystic lung lesion was performed under direct ultrasound control. At a power setting of 45 W, and using a 400 microm Nd:YAG laser fibre, the core of the lesion was photocoagulated in pulses lasting 5 s at 5 s intervals. The total target dose was 1683 J. This led to a marked but temporary reduction in amniotic fluid volume. The patient was commenced on sulindac and amniodrainage was performed at 27 weeks as reaccumulation of the polyhydramnios occurred. Pre-eclampsia complicated the pregnancy at 38 weeks gestation and an emergency caesarean section was performed. The baby underwent a thoracotomy and lobectomy at 48 h of age, made a good recovery, and is currently well 8 weeks post-delivery.

In cases of cystic lung lesion complicated by hydrops, laser ablation should be considered as a treatment option.