OBJECTIVE. To review the management and outcome of babies with antenatally diagnosed congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation.

DESIGN. Retrospective cohort review.

SETTING. Tertiary neonatal care unit at Queen Mary Hospital and antenatal diagnostic centre at Tsan Yuk Hospital.

PATIENTS. Consecutive patients with antenatally suspected congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation in their concepti among antenatal patients attending Tsan Yuk Hospital from 1994 to 2002. Twentyfour of 33 cases were referred to Queen Mary Hospital for postnatal management and for whom comprehensive records were available for analysis in 23.

INTERVENTIONS. Postnatal interventions in their babies included investigational imaging for congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Antenatal and postnatal outcome, as well as pathology of the excised lesions.

RESULTS. Antenatal outcome: termination of pregnancy in two cases and spontaneous abortion in one; in-utero regression was documented in nine cases and in one hydropic change was apparent. Postnatal outcome: only eight of 20 babies born alive had symptoms in neonatal period. Two developed serious infective complications in infancy, one with documented in-utero regression. Pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities were detected on computed tomography of the thorax in six of seven cases with normal or non-specific chest radiograph findings. Among nine cases with in-utero regression, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation was confirmed by operative histology in five and abnormal computed tomography findings in three. Fifteen babies underwent surgical excision, one of whom died because of severe pre-existing pulmonary hypoplasia and nine endured minor postoperative complications. A favourable outcome was documented at a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 2 months-7 years).

CONCLUSIONS. In-utero regression of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation on antenatal ultrasound may not represent genuine resolution. Computed tomographic thorax should be considered in all newborns with antenatally diagnosed congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, and if confirmed early operation before first hospital discharge is recommended.

Key words: Cystic adenomatoid malformation of lung, congenital; Prenatal diagnosis; Treatment outcome

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