Little is known about the characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with pericardial effusion (PE) [1Kyeong K.S., Won H.S., LeeMY, Shim J.Y., Lee P.R., Kim A. Clinical outcomes of prenatally diagnosed cases of isolated and nonisolated percicardial effusion Fetal Diagn Ther 2014 ; 320-325[Epub 2014 Sep 30].  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 2Slesnick T.C., Ayres N.A., Altman C.A., Bezold L.I., Eidem B.W., Fraley J.K., e al. Characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with pericardial effusions Am J Cardiol 2005 ;  96 (4) : 599-601 [inter-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 3McAuliffe F.M., Hornberger L.K., Johnson J., Chitayat D., Ryan G. Cardiac diverticulum with pericardial effusion: report of two new cases treated by in utero pericardiocentesis and a review of the literature Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2005 ;  25 (4) : 401-404 [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 4Johnson J.A., Ryan G., Toi A., Smallhorn J. Prenatal diagnosis of a fetal ventricular diverticulum associated with pericardial effusion: successful outcome following pericardiocentesis Prenat Diagn 1996 ;  16 (10) : 954-957 [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti]. We report the case of a fetus for who a cystic hygroma was discovered at 12weeks of gestation. An isolated apical right ventricular diverticula (2.5mm) 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 20weeks 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 39weeks of gestation by vaginal delivery. A 2840g 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.