Intrapericardial Teratoma and Associated 3q29 Deletion in a Fetus: Case Report

Depending on its location, size, and proximity to the cardiac structures, an intrapericardial teratoma may lead to severe circulatory disturbances and even fetal demise. A 34-year-old G2P1 presented at 20w5d with a solid cystic mass in the right thorax of the fetus, originating from the right atrium or lung, with signs of non-immune fetal hydrops, soon resulting in intrauterine fetal death. Detailed post-mortem autopsy revealed signs of hydrops fetalis universalis due to a spherical tumor mass originating from the aortic root. Histologic examination of the tumor showed the characteristic morphology of a teratoma. A 1.6-Mb microdeletion at 3q29 was identified by single nucleotide polymorphism array. This is the first report presenting the diagnosis of an intrapericardial teratoma in a fetus with a microdeletion of 3q29. Intrapericardial teratoma has a poor prognosis and the fetal outcome relies on the development of hydrops. A post-mortem examination is essential in order to make a definitive diagnosis, which underlines the status of the fetal pathologist and the need for interdisciplinary cooperation.