Rapidly involuting congenital diaphragmatic hemangioma

Abstract

Rapidly involuting congenital hemangiomas are rare tumors, usually localized in the dermal-hypodermic tissue. They are fully developed at birth and present as solitary masses that do not proliferate postnatally. We report on a fetus that presented with hydramnios and left hydrothorax. Postnatal ultrasounds and computed tomography imaging showed a congenital hemangioma invading the left diaphragmatic dome and extending to the abdominal wall, pericardium, and liver. The mass was well tolerated, showing regular involution on serial ultrasounds and complete involution by the end of the second year of life. Rapidly involuting congenital hemangiomas can exceptionally affect the diaphragmatic region in the perinatal period. This observation demonstrates the relevance of current radiologic techniques, which are minimally invasive, for the diagnosis and follow-up of this particularly rare and potentially life-threatening lesion.