Non-immunological hydrops fetalis and intrapericardial teratoma: case report and review

A large intrapericardial teratoma was found at necropsy in a 38-week stillborn fetus, in which prenatal diagnosis of hydrops fetalis and an echogenic cardiac mass had been made. Clinical and pathological data are reported. In utero intrapericardial teratomata lead to different outcomes depending on whether fetal hydrops is associated. When generalized fetal hydrops is not present, the outcome is good, even in cases with large pericardial effusions. When generalized fetal hydrops occurs, it often results in a poor outcome. In our literature review, we have found eight perinatal deaths in nine similar cases reported.