Prenatal diagnosis of fetal right ventricular diverticulum with massive pericardial effusion in one of monochorionic diamniotic twins: a case report with a favorable outcome following in utero pericardiocentesis

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 49; no. 1; p. 300060520986668
• Main Authors: Wang, Yunan, Liu, Chang, Yin, Aihua, Zhao, Xin, He, Wei, Xiong, Ying, Fang, Liyuan, Wu, Jing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2021; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Case Report; Case reports; Congenital diseases; Diverticulum - diagnostic imaging; Diverticulum - surgery; Female; Fetal Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Fetal Diseases - surgery; Heart; Humans; Maternal & child health; Pericardial Effusion - diagnostic imaging; Pericardial Effusion - surgery; Pericardiocentesis; Pregnancy; Prenatal care; Prenatal Diagnosis; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; monochorionic diamniotic twins; prenatal counseling; pericardial effusion; pericardiocentesis; fetal outcome; Ventricular diverticulum
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060520986668

Background Congenital ventricular diverticulum is a rare abnormality that may occur as an isolated malformation. Most cases are accompanied by pericardial effusion. Prenatal counseling can be difficult because the prognosis is uncertain and there is no consensus approach to prenatal management. Case presentation: We describe a case of congenital cardiac diverticulum complicated by large pericardial effusion in one of monochorionic diamniotic twins. The case was diagnosed by ultrasonography at 21 weeks of gestation. Therapeutic pericardiocentesis at 22 weeks resulted in complete resolution of the effusion and led to a favorable fetal outcome. We summarize the interventions and pregnancy outcomes in cases of cardiac diverticula reported in the literature. Conclusions Better awareness of clinical features, in utero therapies, and pregnancy outcomes could help define and improve prenatal management of congenital ventricular diverticula.