Successful intrauterine therapy in a fetus with a large lung cyst in the third trimester of pregnancy – case report

Abstract

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation is a rare disorder of the respiratory system which occurs with an incidence of 1/25.000–35.000. Depending on the size of the cysts, CCAM is classified into microcystic and macrocystic. Very large lesions carry a significant risk of causing both, pulmonary hypoplasia due to compression of the lung tissue and fetal hydrops, probably due to impaired cardiac function as a result of mediastinal shift and compression of the vena cava. In this report, we present a case of a fetus with prenatally diagnosed large cyst of the left lung. Despite advanced gestational age, the baby was treated by thoracoamniotic shunting owning to developing impaired cardiac function and polyhydramion. Spectacular effects of the therapy have been achieved.