Ultrasonographic guidance for location of the trachea during the EXIT procedure for cervical teratoma

Abstract

Cervical teratomas are rare tumors of infancy that are associated with a high mortality rate caused by compression and distortion of the infant's airway. Recent attempts at managing the fetal airway before delivery have focused on the EXIT (ex-utero intrapartum treatment) procedure, in which time to secure an airway is provided while preserving uteroplacental gas exchange. The authors report the use of intraoperative ultrasound guidance during an EXIT procedure for an infant with massive cervical teratoma to aid in identification of the trachea.