Pham A, Biswas S, Levy A, Spiliopoulos M, McLaren R, Makhamreh MM, Al-Kouatly HB. Imaging and outcomes of fetal adrenal hemorrhage: A systematic review.
Prenat Diagn 2023;
43:1433-1441. [PMID:
37786937 DOI:
10.1002/pd.6442]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe prenatal and postnatal imaging findings of fetal adrenal hemorrhage (FAH) and its associated perinatal outcomes, including frequency of postnatal surgical intervention.
METHOD
A systematic literature review of seven electronic databases was conducted from inception until January 2022, with 2008 articles identified reporting prenatally identified fetal adrenal masses. Studies with confirmed FAH diagnosis were included. Quality and risk assessment were evaluated.
RESULTS
Thirty-five studies, including 102 FAH cases, were analyzed. FAH was commonly described as cystic (28/90, 31%), anechoic (25/90, 28%), or mixed echogenic (14/90, 16%) on ultrasound. Outcome data were available for 65 cases (64%) of FAH: 9% (6/65) resolved prenatally, 35% (23/65) resolved postnatally, 34% (22/65) regressed in size after birth, and 22% (14/65) persisted postnatally. Overall, 25% (16/65) of cases underwent postnatal surgical intervention. Neuroblastoma was suspected in all 16 surgical cases. Only one case (1/16, 6%) confirmed a cystic hematoma with microscopic islets of neuroblastoma in situ on pathology.
CONCLUSION
Prenatal diagnosis of FAH is challenging due to the significant heterogeneity of ultrasound findings. Final pathology did not support the need for surgical intervention. Persistent postnatal FAH warrants shared decision making for further management based on the clinical presentation.
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