Purpose or Case Report: Teratoma is one of the most common fetal tumors that is diagnosed on prenatal imaging. Various sites and organs can be involved, and therefore it is important to be aware of the imaging findings on fetal MRI. Imaging not only aids in prompt diagnosis, but also directs obstetrical care and provides vital information for counseling. The purpose of this exhibit is to review key anatomic, pathologic, and imaging characteristics of fetal teratomas.
Methods & Materials: A retrospective review of the fetal database was performed to identify patients with presumed prenatal diagnosis of fetal teratomas. Patients included in this review are those with postnatal pathological confirmation of the diagnosis.
Results: The key anatomy and pathology of fetal teratomas will be briefly reviewed followed by the optimal technique of fetal MRI imaging to evaluate these lesions. A spectrum of fetal teratoma cases will be presented, including intracranial, oropharyngeal, intra-abdominal, sacrococcygeal, as well as a rare form of a parasitic twin.
Conclusions: Teratoma is one of the most common prenatally diagnosed masses, therefore fetal MRI plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of this entity. Not only does MRI allow for characterization of the mass, but also allows evaluation of associated findings such as airway patency, amniotic fluid quantification, and presence of hydrops, which can play a vital role in management. It is important for radiologists to familiarize themselves with the spectrum of findings in order to provide a prompt diagnosis to ultimately guide prenatal and postnatal care.