Prenatal sonographic detection of pericardial teratoma

Patients with pericardial teratomas usually present shortly after birth wit h cardiorespiratory distress or in utero with hydrops fetalis. We report a case in which the tumor was diagnosed in utero using sonography during a ro utine obstetric examination. Sonograms showed a 3-cm echogenic mass compres sing the right atrium. The lesion was inhomogeneous with solid and cystic a reas. The fetus was followed to term, and additional radiologic studies wer e performed before the infant underwent surgery. Prenatal identification of a pericardial teratoma is essential for planning fetal management and deli very and potential prenatal surgery. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.