Radiology, Vol 169, 131-136, Copyright © 1988 by Radiological Society of North America
Prenatal diagnosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma: sonographic-pathologic correlation
S Sheth, AR Nussbaum, RC Sanders, UM Hamper and AJ Davidson
Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
The prenatal sonograms of 15 fetuses with sacrococcygeal teratoma were
reviewed to determine the sonographic appearance and the role of sonography
in the obstetric management. Each tumor appeared as a large mass arising
from the fetal rump. The teratomas exhibited three sonographic patterns:
nine were mixtures of cystic and solid components in equal proportions,
four were predominantly solid with a few scattered anechoic areas, and two
were unilocular cystic masses. Calcifications were detected in six cases.
There was no correlation between the sonographic appearance and the
presence of immature or malignant components. Ultrasonography allowed
visualization of an intraabdominal component in six cases and assessment of
findings that were of prognostic importance. Prenatal detection and size
determination of the external component can play an important role in
planning obstetric management because fetuses with a large tumor should be
delivered by cesarean section to avoid dystocia and catastrophic hemorrhage
during delivery.
