Evaluation and tracing of prenatally diagnosed abdominal masses

Abstract

Objective To assess the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis in abdominal masses, natural development of the mass and the status of parent's choice for termination. Methods Clinical data of prenatally ultrasonographic diagnosed abdominal masses in recent 3 years were reviewed, including gestation age, mass size and location, mass features (cystic, mixed, solid), prenatal diagnosis, prenatal follow-up, the parents' choice for termination, postnatal diagnosis and management and follow-up.Results A total of 59 fetal abdominal masses were found. They accounted for 2. 2 ％ among the prenatally diagnosed malformation and tumors(59/2723)in same period. Of these cases, the youngest was 20 weeks and the oldest 39 weeks. Mean gestation age is 31.3 weeks. Confirmed diagnosis from autopsy, postnatal operation and image examination was gained. Only 3 cases were not match to the prenatal diagnosis. The total accordance is 91.9％. The masses presented regression before or after birth were observed in 18 cases (18/59, 3 confirmed and 15 not confirmed). Ninteen parents(19/59) refused the physician's advice and chose termination. Twenty-one (21/59) were termination without autopsy and lost follow-up. Fifty tumors diagnosed via operation or postnatal image examination were established. Conclusions Fetal abdominal mass can be found by sonography. Most prenatal diagnosis is match to postnatal result. The natural history of fetal mass is favorable. Some parents may choose termination when they know the fetal with suspected tumor in China. Key words: Fetus; Abdominal neoplasms; Ultrasonography