Intrauterine thoracentesis of fetal cystic lung malformations.

Fetal pulmonary malformations comprise a rare but often lethal group of congenital anomalies. Until recently, diagnosis and therapy were directed postnatally and therefore some cases of fetal compromise were inevitably missed. We present 2 cases in which intermittent thoracentesis of fetal cystic lung malformations resulted in a successful outcome. Intrauterine thoracentesis should be considered in the second and third trimester of pregnancy in cases which demonstrate early fetal compromise.