[Lethal hydrops fetalis secondary to an umbilical cord hemangioma]
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D Carles1, B Maugey-Laulom, D Roux
1Département d'Anatomie Pathologique, Groupe Hospitalier Pellegrin, C.H.U. de Bordeaux.
We report an umbilical cord hemangioma associated with an hydrops fetalis and detected by ultrasonography at 21 week's gestation. Because of the fetal distress, a caesarean section was performed at 28 weeks'. The infant died soon after birth despite resuscitation. The post-mortem examination showed an extensive accumulation of serous fluid in the fetal tissues and the body cavities, and major pulmonary hypoplasia. The umbilical cord contained a grossly fusiform tumor which fulfilled the pathological criteria of an umbilical cord hemangioma. Umbilical cord hemangiomas are very unusual tumors and are rarely associated with a fetal hydrops. This tumor is a cause of increased maternal serum and amniotic fluid alpha-foetoprotein levels. Although it is usually isolated, it is imperative to search for associated malformations or angiomas that may clinically manifest later.
We report an umbilical cord hemangioma associated with an hydrops fetalis and detected by ultrasonography at 21 week's gestation. Because of the fetal distress, a caesarean section was performed at 28 weeks'. The infant died soon after birth despite resuscitation. The post-mortem examination showed an extensive accumulation of serous fluid in the fetal tissues and the body cavities, and major pulmonary hypoplasia. The umbilical cord contained a grossly fusiform tumor which fulfilled the pathological criteria of an umbilical cord hemangioma. Umbilical cord hemangiomas are very unusual tumors and are rarely associated with a fetal hydrops. This tumor is a cause of increased maternal serum and amniotic fluid alpha-foetoprotein levels. Although it is usually isolated, it is imperative to search for associated malformations or angiomas that may clinically manifest later.