ABSTRACT
Fetal head and neck tumors are rare. When such masses are seen it is important to assess amniotic fluid volume, as polyhydramnios suggests problems with swallowing or obstruction. The prognosis of the tumors largely depends on their size. If they are large, they can cause compression of the trachea, meaning that the airway in the newborn cannot be maintained. Cystic hygroma is the most common cause for an ante-natal finding of a neck mass and is thought to be due to lymphatic malformation. Fetal hemangioma affecting the neck or face is a rare condition and appears on ultrasound as a thick-walled sonolucent mass in which characteristic pulsating Doppler flow signals are detected. In cases of polyhydramnios, amnioreduction before the procedure has been described to prevent decompression and contraction of the uterus. General anesthesia with pharmacological uterine relaxation in order to preserve placental function is achieved prior to Caesarean section.
