Intrapericardial teratoma in a premature neonate: pre-delivery diagnosis and successful surgical removal.

Intrapericardial teratoma is a rare cardiac tumour that is typically a lone, large, polycystic mass, in contact with the base of the heart and accompanied by pericardial effusion. In itself it is benign, but it can be potentially fatal because of pressure on the heart or great vessels. It is usually surgically removable. Here we describe a case of intrapericardial teratoma that was identified by foetal echocardiography prior to Caesarean delivery and was successfully removed surgically in a premature neonate. The postoperative course was uneventful, and six years later the child shows normal development and has a normal echocardiogram.