Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung: Antenatal ultrasound findings and fetal-neonatal outcome - Fifteen years of experience

Seventeen cases of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung ( CCAM) are reported. They were followed up over a period of 1 month to 15 ye ars. Diagnosis was made by prenatal ultrasound. Our purpose was to evaluate the fetal-neonatal outcome and the prognostic elements observable through ultrasound techniques, and to compare all types of CCAM. The outcome observ ed ranged from total prenatal resolution to postnatal spontaneous regressio n of the lesion, to complications due to the presence of nonimmune fetal hy drops (NIFH), intrauterine death and the necessity of surgical intervention . In our experience only hydrops represented a negative predictor of outcom e since death occurred in all cases with this pathology. In the absence of NIFH, counselling should stress the prevalence of a positive outcome, even in cases of surgical intervention. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.