Case Report

You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article

First-trimester diagnosis of fetal hepatic cyst

  1. Dr C. Berg1,*,
  2. A. A. Baschat3,
  3. A. Geipel1,
  4. M. Krapp1,
  5. U. Germer1,
  6. J. M. Smrcek1,
  7. W. Sigge2,
  8. U. Gembruch1

Article first published online: 12 DEC 2002

DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2002.00632.x

Issue

Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology

Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology

Volume 19, Issue 3, pages 287–289, March 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Berg, C., Baschat, A. A., Geipel, A., Krapp, M., Germer, U., Smrcek, J. M., Sigge, W. and Gembruch, U. (2002), First-trimester diagnosis of fetal hepatic cyst. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 19: 287–289. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2002.00632.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Prenatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

  2. 2

    Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

  3. 3

    Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Advanced Fetal Care, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

*Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 DEC 2002
  2. Article first published online: 12 DEC 2002
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 29 NOV 2001

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (58K)

Keywords:

  • Fetus;
  • First trimester;
  • Hepatic cyst;
  • Liver cyst;
  • Ultrasound

Abstract

Fetal intra-abdominal cysts seen on antenatal sonography pose a diagnostic problem as they may have many etiological origins. We present a case of a hepatic cyst measuring 11 × 7 × 7 mm that was diagnosed at 13 weeks' gestation by transvaginal sonography. The cyst increased in proportion with the growth of the fetus. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration of the cyst at 22 weeks' gestation helped to clearly identify the formerly displaced gall bladder and demonstrated the intrahepatic location of the cyst. The aspirated fluid was identified as bile. After aspiration the fluid reaccumulated rapidly. Shortly prior to delivery the cyst measured 75 × 44 × 46 mm. At 39 weeks of gestation a female infant was delivered by forceps (3610 g; Apgar 9/10/10 at 1, 5 and 10 min, respectively). Increasing cyst size and concomitant feeding problems prompted surgery on the 14th day postpartum. A large hepatic cyst was partially excised and marsupialized, confirming the prenatal diagnosis. The postoperative course was complicated by cholangitis, septicemia and recurrence of the cyst. Therefore Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy was performed in the second month of life. The postoperative period was uneventful and the child was doing well at the time of writing. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG

Get PDF (58K)