Perinatal germ cell tumors: a case report of a cervical teratoma

EXIT (ex utero intrapartum treatment) surgery for the management of fetal airway obstruction: A systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

To provide a comprehensive overview of the perinatal and maternal outcomes of fetuses undergoing EXIT surgery for the management of fetal airway obstruction secondary to cervical or oral tumors.

METHODS

A comprehensive search from inception to September 2018 was conducted on databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and LILACS. All studies that reported an EXIT surgery in singleton were considered eligible. A descriptive analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Out of the 250 full-text study reports, 120 articles reporting 235 cases of EXIT surgery were included. EXIT surgery was performed at 35.1 weeks of gestation on average. The most frequent diagnosis was teratoma (46.4%, n = 109/235). There were 13 adverse maternal events, and the most frequent one was postpartum hemorrhage (4.7%, n = 11/235). No maternal death was reported. Fetal and neonatal death occurred in 17% (40/235) of the cases. There were 29 adverse fetal events (12.2%), and the most frequent one was the failure of intubation or tracheostomy (3.4%, n = 8/235).

CONCLUSION

EXIT surgery could be considered for the management of an oral or cervical tumor that's highly suspicious of blocking the fetal airway. This systematic review reports that EXIT surgery poses substantial risks of maternal and fetal adverse events, including neonatal death.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV case series with no comparison group.

Case Report: Severe acute respiratory distress by tracheal obstruction due to a congenital thyroid teratoma

Congenital teratoma is a rare condition and is a germ cell tumor composed of elements from one or more of the embryonic germ layers and contain tissues usually foreign to the anatomic site of origin. We report a case of a neck tumor diagnosed during pregnancy, initially thought to be a goiter. After birth the neck mass kept growing until it compressed the trachea and produced respiratory failure. The infant had a difficult tracheal intubation because of the compressing mass. The staff decided to surgically remove the neck mass. After that, the infant became eupneic. The histological analysis showed a mature teratoma with no atypias.

Congenital cervical cysts, sinuses, and fistulae in pediatric surgery

Congenital cervical anomalies are essential to consider in the clinical assessment of head and neck masses in children and adults. These lesions can present as palpable cystic masses, infected masses, draining sinuses, or fistulae. Thyroglossal duct cysts are most common, followed by branchial cleft anomalies and dermoid cysts. Other lesions reviewed include median ectopic thyroid, cervical teratomas, and midline cervical clefts. Appropriate diagnosis and management of these lesions requires a thorough understanding of their embryology and anatomy. Correct diagnosis, resolution of infectious issues before definitive therapy, and complete surgical excision are imperative in the prevention of recurrence.