Fetal congenital cardiac diverticulum with pericardial effusion: two cases with different presentations in the first trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

Two cases of fetal congenital cardiac diverticula diagnosed at 14 and 12 weeks of gestation are reported. Both presented with a large pericardial effusion. One fetus presented with increased NT which evolved into fetal hydrops. Pericardiocentesis at 16 weeks led to progressive resolution of hydrops. The other showed no hemodynamic compromise, normal nuchal translucency (NT) and spontaneous regression of the effusion. Both children were well at 22 and 17 months of age at the time of writing. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.