Antenatal diagnosis and treatment of fetal hydrops secondary to pulmonary extralobar sequestration.

Abstract

Bronchopulmonary sequestration with associated non-immune hydrops has been previously reported with generally poor prognosis for the neonate. The vast majority of sequestrations are discovered postnatally, and less than half are correctly identified as sequestration before birth.Until recently, treatment for pulmonary sequestration was limited to postnatal respiratory support and resection of the sequestered lung. But aggressive respiratory support does not succeed in salvaging infants with underlying pulmonary hypoplasia. In our report, we describe the antenatal treatment of pleural effusions complicated by hydrops fetalis secondary to a bronchopulmonary sequestration, successfully managed with a transthoracic catheter placement. This therapy resulted in the resolution of pleural effusion, polyhydramnios and hydrops, with a good fetal outcome.