Prenatal magnetic resonance imaging as a useful adjunctive to ultrasound-enhanced diagnosis in case of a giant foetal tumour of the neck.

ABSTRACT

Large cervical masses in the prenatal period are rare and can cause life threatening situations after birth. All available diagnostic techniques should therefore be used to determine the best mode of delivery in the case of such malformation. A large cervical mass was detected by ultrasound in a 41-year-old women, gravida 4, para 3, at 29 + 5 weeks of gestation. US imaging was most consistent with the diagnosis of a large cervical teratoma, but it was not possible to sufficiently evaluate the cervical anatomy of the oropharynx and trachea. An MRI scan demonstrated a distorted oropharynx and a trachea displaced to the right and posteriorly, but not detectable from the middle of the neck up to the larynx. Based on these facts, an EXIT procedure was planned and performed at 30 + 5 weeks of gestation. Foetal MRI provided valuable anatomical information for all specialists deciding on the indication and the pre-therapeutic planning of the EXIT procedure.