Congenital fibrosarcoma as cause for fetal anemia: prenatal diagnosis and in utero treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To discuss diagnosis and management of a case of a rare fetal tumor complicated by fetal anemia due to intratumoral hemorrhage.

CASE REPORT: We report on a 29-week-old fetus with a tumor in the posterior left shoulder region. The morphologic aspect of the tumor, lack of fetal movements and an increased middle cerebral artery (MCA) peak systolic velocity (PSV) were indicative of fetal anemia caused by intratumoral bleeding. Following intravascular blood transfusion the pregnancy was safely prolonged for 15 days, during which lung maturity was induced. After delivery the neonate underwent surgical excision. Histological examination revealed an infantile congenital fibrosarcoma.

CONCLUSION

Anemia must be ruled out in cases with fetal tumors. MCA PSV is useful in diagnosis and surveillance in these fetuses.