Minimally invasive, multi-disciplinary approach for surgical management of a mediastinal congenital bronchogenic cyst in a 6-month-old infant

Case Report: Prenatal and Postnatal Management for Fetal Bronchogenic Cysts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: A fetal bronchogenic cyst (BC) is a rare congenital anomaly with an incidence of 0.147-0.238‰. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as a particular situation, hindered pregnant women from receiving periodic prenatal checkups. Case Description: Until 34⁺⁶ weeks of gestation, a fetal case of the intrathoracic cyst was found by ultrasound examination. Further, MRI examination confirmed the diagnosis of the congenital mediastinal cystic lesion, probably a BC. Genetic testing was not conducted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At 38⁺⁵ weeks of gestation with maternal COVID-19 testing negative, a live girl was delivered by cesarean section. Five months later, the child underwent bronchocystectomy, and the postoperative pathological lesions confirmed a (right upper mediastinum) BC. Conclusion: Herein, we reported the prenatal and postnatal management for a rare case of the congenital BC by multidisciplinary approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fetal MRI and screening for fetal chromosomal abnormalities are especially recommended. This case contributes to the awareness that the COVID-19 pandemic interferes with regular follow-up schedules during pregnancy and may interfere with timely performed additional tests; which leads to more accurate genetic counseling. A combination of multidisciplinary approaches, including radiology, infection control, genetic counseling, obstetrics, and pediatric surgery, is pivotal for managing fetal BC during the COVID-19 pandemic.