Cytologic findings in a fetal intracranial teratoma - A case report

BACKGROUND: Fetal neoplasms are very rare. Recently we had the opportunity to examine the fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of a fetal intracranial teratoma. CASE: The tumor was found in a 30-week-gestation fetus; the mother was 32 y ears old, gravida 4, para 1. She presented with a rapid increase in abdomin al girth over a two-week period. An ultrasound scan showed severe fetal hyd rocephalus and a massive intracranial tumor thought to be a teratoma becaus e of variations in echogenicity and spotty calcification. An FNA biopsy was performed under ultrasound guidance. It showed mainly neuroepithelial cell s, so a differentia; diagnosis of malignant neuroepithelial tumor was consi dered. At autopsy, several other tissue types were found in the tumor, cons istent with a teratoma. CONCLUSION: Advances in diagnosis of fetal anomalies by ultrasound have bee n associated with an increase in the use of fetal interventions performed i n utero. This includes the availability of fetal surgery in some centers. F NA biopsy of fetal lesions does not appear to be fetal described. Increased experience with this technique is necessary if its full potential is to be realized.