Fetal bronchopulmonary malformations

Fetal body tumors are rare, but the ability to diagnose them has improved over recent years. Most masses discovered in the chest results from fetal bronchopulmonary malformations, such as congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and bronchopulmonary sequestration. Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and bronchopulmonary sequestration have a reported incidence of 50% and 33% of all prenatally diagnosed lung lesions, respectively.

Retrospective analysis of the congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and bronchopulmonary sequestration cases diagnosed or surveilled at our department, between January 2003 and March 2013. Prenatal examination, evolution, management and patient outcome were analyzed.

A total of 918 fetal malformations were diagnosed at our hospital, 17 of them representing fetal bronchopulmonary malformations. The majority were diagnosed during the second trimester and stabilized or regressed during the third trimester of pregnancy. The pregnancies and deliveries had no other relevant findings or complications, except in three cases. Nine children required surgery. All of the children are healthy and have a normal development, with regular surveillance by the pediatricians.

The majority of these fetal lung masses are isolated findings that partially regress during intrauterine life. With adequate postnatal surveillance and eventual surgery the prognosis is good.