Prenatal radiofrequency ablation for bronchopulmonary sequestration: a case report of successful fetal intervention and longitudinal outcomes.
Hui Xi, Huilin Su, Zheming Jiang et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A fetus diagnosed with bronchopulmonary sequestration at 22 weeks’ gestation underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of the lesion’s aberrant feeding artery. The artery was completely occluded without procedural complications, and serial prenatal imaging showed progressive lesion involution. Cesarean delivery at 38 weeks was performed for cephalopelvic disproportion. Neonatal CT confirmed shrinkage of the residual sequestration. At six months, the infant had normal respiratory function, age-appropriate growth, and developmental milestones.
What made this case unusual
The report describes prenatal ablation of the feeding artery followed by lesion involution and reassuring respiratory and developmental outcomes at six months, avoiding open surgery in the neonatal period.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
In fetal bronchopulmonary sequestration, ultrasound-guided occlusion of the aberrant feeding artery can be followed by lesion involution; assess fetal and lesion factors when considering intervention.