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Fetal primary hydrothorax with spontaneous resolution
Vera Trocado1,2,3, J P Coutinho-Borges1, Mariana Carlos-Alves1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho (ULSAM), Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
Case Reports in Women'S Health
|March 30, 2018
Summary
Fetal primary hydrothorax, a rare condition, can resolve spontaneously. This case highlights a unilateral fetal pleural effusion that completely resolved before birth, resulting in a healthy infant.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Fetal Medicine
- Congenital Anomalies
Background:
- Fetal primary hydrothorax is a rare congenital anomaly with variable outcomes.
- It occurs in approximately 1:10,000-15,000 pregnancies.
- The clinical course is unpredictable, ranging from spontaneous resolution to fetal demise.
Observation:
- A unilateral fetal pleural effusion was identified at 35 weeks gestation in an otherwise uneventful pregnancy.
- The effusion caused mediastinal shift and lung atelectasis, with associated hydramnios.
- No signs of hydrops fetalis or other structural abnormalities were detected.
Findings:
- Serial ultrasound evaluations showed progressive resolution of the effusion.
- Complete resolution occurred by 38 weeks gestation.
- A healthy infant was delivered at 39 weeks via Cesarean section with no respiratory support needed.
Implications:
- Spontaneous regression occurs in 9-22% of primary fetal hydrothorax cases.
- Unilateral effusion, absence of hydrops, and spontaneous resolution appear to be indicators of a favorable prognosis.
- Further research is needed to define predictive features for better outcomes in fetal hydrothorax.
Keywords:
Fetal hydrothorax
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