Isolated fetal pericardial effusion: A case report treated by in utero pericardiocentesis

Little is known about the characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with pericardial effusion (PE) [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] . We report the case of a fetus for who a cystic hygroma was discovered at 12 weeks of gestation. An isolated apical right ventricular diverticula (2.5 mm) with large pericardial effusion was diagnosed at the second trimester ( Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 ). No other malformation was seen. Amniocentesis did not shown chromosomal abnormality. There was no atypical antibodies. The fetal infectious screen was negative for syphilis, toxoplasmosis, varicella, enterovirus, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus and parvovirus B19. In utero drainage by pericardiocentesis of PE was performed at 20 weeks of gestation. Laboratory data of the pericardial effusion did not show any inflammatory. The lungs compressed by the large PE returned to their place. There was no adverse effects nor recurrence. The pregnancy was terminated at 39 weeks of gestation by vaginal delivery. A 2840 g female baby was born with an Apgar score of 10 and 10 at one and five minutes. The neonatal outcome was good and the neonatal echocardiography was normal.