Giant Intrapericardial Teratoma – Enough Space Left in the Neonatal Thorax?

Objective: Optimal treatment of fetal intrapericardial teratoma is controversial, especially in regard to fetal intervention. Given the rarity of the disease case reports can assist in decision making.

Case Report: We report on a neonate with a giant intrapericardial teratoma detected in utero, almost filling the entire thorax. Delivery was planned per cesarean section with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) stand-by. As a surprise the child adopted very well after birth, requiring only continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The tumor was resected on the next day without injuring cardiac structures. The child was and discharged on day 10 post-surgery.

Conclusion: Our case supports the assumption that even in very large tumors the postnatal course can be benign, if there is no fetal hydrops.