Objective To assess the learning curve for measurement of the fetal modified myocardial performance index (MPI). Methods

No abstract

Congenital neck masses are associated with high perinatal mortality and morbidity secondary to airway obstruction due to a mass effect of the tumor with subsequent neonatal asphyxia and/or neonatal death. Currently, the only technique designed to establish a secure neonatal airway is the ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure, which involves neonatal tracheal intubation while fetal oxygenation is maintained by the uteroplacental circulation in a partial fetal delivery under maternal general anesthesia. We present a case with a giant cervical teratoma and huge displacement and compression of the fetal trachea that was treated successfully at 35 weeks of gestation with a novel fetoscopic procedure to ensure extrauterine tracheal permeability by means of a fetal endoscopic tracheal intubation (FETI) before delivery. The procedure consisted of a percutaneous fetal tracheoscopy under maternal epidural anesthesia using an 11-Fr exchange catheter covering the fetoscope that allowed a conduit to introduce a 3.0-mm intrauterine orotracheal cannula under ultrasound guidance. After FETI, a conventional cesarean section was performed uneventfully with no need for an EXIT procedure. This report is the first to illustrate that in cases with large neck tumors involving fetal airways, FETI is feasible and could potentially replace an EXIT procedure by allowing prenatal airway control.

Massive microcystic congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) and bronchial atresia are associated with a high perinatal mortality secondary to lung hypoplasia and cardiac dysfunction, and fetal intervention should be considered to improve prognosis. Therapeutic options include open fetal surgery with pulmonary resection, fetal sclerotherapy and fetoscopy. We present a case with a severely enlarged left lung without ultrasound signs of dilated airways compatible with the diagnosis of microcystic CCAM, hydrops and severe contralateral lung hypoplasia that was treated successfully at 30 weeks of gestation by fetal bronchoscopy, through which bronchial atresia was identified at the end of the left mainstem bronchi and permeabilized by laser ablation. After fetal surgery, weekly follow-up showed a progressive decrease in the affected lung size and an increase in the contralateral hypoplastic lung size, demonstrating normal dimensions of both lungs at 34 weeks of gestation, reversal of the mediastinal shift, and complete disappearance of hydrops. A healthy neonate was delivered uneventfully at term with no need for respiratory support, and the boy is now doing well at 15 months of age. This report demonstrates that in cases with prenatal diagnosis of large microcystic CCAM, fetal bronchoscopy can be used to refine the diagnosis of bronchial atresia and as a therapeutic tool with good outcome.