PERINATAL MANAGEMENT OF NASOPHARYNGEAL TERATOMA

Nasopharyngeal teratoma is a rare benign entity, with most of the publ ished literature represented by sporadic case reports. We present a re cent case of a 23-year-old woman found to have elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and ultrasound findings of a fetal cystic mass in t he mandibular region. The infant had a large nasopharyngeal teratoma p rotruding from the oral cavity making airway access extremely difficul t. The presence of severe coexisting cardiac anomalies and respiratory disease led to death in the neonatal period. This report and the revi ew of the literature stress the importance of recognizing suggestive p renatal data and preparing for perinatal management including maintena nce of fetal oxygenation and aggressive early provision of an adequate airway.