Abstract
Fetal cystic hygromas are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system appearing as single or multiloculated fluid-filled cavities, most often about the neck. They are thought to arise from failure of the lymphatic system to communicate with the venous system in the neck. They often progress to hydrops and cause fetal death. In an effort to delineate the cause and natural history of this disorder, we studied 15 consecutive cases of nuchal hygroma detected prenatally by ultrasound. None of the 15 fetuses ultimately survived. Thirteen fetuses were hydropic at the time of diagnosis; 9 either died or were bradycardic in utero before abortion; one died a few hours after birth. Eleven fetuses (73%) had karyotypes consistent with Turner's syndrome, and an additional fetus with female genitalia had a 46.XY karyotype. Three fetuses had 46.XX karyotypes, and 2 of these had multiple malformations. When a hygroma is detected during fetal life, careful sonographic examination of the entire fetus, determination of the fetal karyotype, and an evaluation of the family history are indicated.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 822-825 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | New England Journal of Medicine |
| Volume | 309 |
| Issue number | 14 |
| State | Published - 1983 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
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Fetal cystic hygroma. Cause and natural history. / Chervenak, F. A.; Isaacson, G.; Blakemore, Karin; Breg, W. R.; Hobbins, J. C.; Berkowitz, R. L.; Tortora, M.; Mayden, K.; Mahoney, M. J.
In: New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 309, No. 14, 1983, p. 822-825.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Fetal cystic hygroma. Cause and natural history
AU - Chervenak, F. A.
AU - Isaacson, G.
AU - Blakemore, Karin
AU - Breg, W. R.
AU - Hobbins, J. C.
AU - Berkowitz, R. L.
AU - Tortora, M.
AU - Mayden, K.
AU - Mahoney, M. J.
PY - 1983
Y1 - 1983
N2 - Fetal cystic hygromas are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system appearing as single or multiloculated fluid-filled cavities, most often about the neck. They are thought to arise from failure of the lymphatic system to communicate with the venous system in the neck. They often progress to hydrops and cause fetal death. In an effort to delineate the cause and natural history of this disorder, we studied 15 consecutive cases of nuchal hygroma detected prenatally by ultrasound. None of the 15 fetuses ultimately survived. Thirteen fetuses were hydropic at the time of diagnosis; 9 either died or were bradycardic in utero before abortion; one died a few hours after birth. Eleven fetuses (73%) had karyotypes consistent with Turner's syndrome, and an additional fetus with female genitalia had a 46.XY karyotype. Three fetuses had 46.XX karyotypes, and 2 of these had multiple malformations. When a hygroma is detected during fetal life, careful sonographic examination of the entire fetus, determination of the fetal karyotype, and an evaluation of the family history are indicated.
AB - Fetal cystic hygromas are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system appearing as single or multiloculated fluid-filled cavities, most often about the neck. They are thought to arise from failure of the lymphatic system to communicate with the venous system in the neck. They often progress to hydrops and cause fetal death. In an effort to delineate the cause and natural history of this disorder, we studied 15 consecutive cases of nuchal hygroma detected prenatally by ultrasound. None of the 15 fetuses ultimately survived. Thirteen fetuses were hydropic at the time of diagnosis; 9 either died or were bradycardic in utero before abortion; one died a few hours after birth. Eleven fetuses (73%) had karyotypes consistent with Turner's syndrome, and an additional fetus with female genitalia had a 46.XY karyotype. Three fetuses had 46.XX karyotypes, and 2 of these had multiple malformations. When a hygroma is detected during fetal life, careful sonographic examination of the entire fetus, determination of the fetal karyotype, and an evaluation of the family history are indicated.
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M3 - Article
C2 - 6888468
AN - SCOPUS:0020571149
VL - 309
SP - 822
EP - 825
JO - New England Journal of Medicine
JF - New England Journal of Medicine
SN - 0028-4793
IS - 14
ER -