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DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-100505
Intrauterine Ultrasound-Guided Laser Coagulation of the Feeding Artery in Fetal Bronchopulmonary Sequestration
Intrauterine ultraschallgesteuerte Laserkoagulation der zuführenden Arterie bei fetaler bronchopulmonaler SequestrationPublication History
24 August 2016
21 December 2016
Publication Date:
18 April 2017 (online)
Introduction
Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) is a rare fetal lung anomaly. It is a nonfunctioning mass of lung tissue that lacks normal communication with the tracheobronchial tree and receives its blood supply from the systemic (rather than the pulmonary) circulation. Typically, it has the appearance of a solid homogeneous mass with a feeding vessel, originating from the descending aorta. The perinatal prognosis is poor in the case of development of fetal hydrops, massive pleural effusions with lung hypoplasia and the presence of polyhydramnios resulting in premature delivery.
Laser coagulation of the feeding artery has been described as a minimally invasive fetal therapy (Oepkes et al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2007, 29: 457 – 459). This report describes two cases of BPS with successfully performed laser coagulation, resulting in complete remission of fetal hydrops and prevention of premature delivery without further necessity for neonatal surgery.