Neurenteric cyst: antenatal diagnosis and therapeutic approach

We hereby report the second case of antenatally diagnosed "neurenteric cyst" in the literature. The patient we describe presented as a neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) which did not respond to a vigorous resuscitation. Anomaly of the antenatal ultrasonography and of the initial chest x-ray added to the non-response to therapy, led us to an urgent thoracic scan and to a lifesaving thoracotomy. We think that every posterior mediastinal cystic mass, with or without vertebral malformations, diagnosed antenatally, should raise the possibility of neurenteric cyst. The perinatal management of the newborn to be, will thus be simplified. This will lead to a better outcome.