Mid-Trimester Thoracoamniotic Shunting for the Treatment of Fetal Primary Pleural Effusions in a Twin Pregnancy

Thoracoamniotic shunting has been described as having a beneficial role in the antenatal management of primary pleural effusions in singleton pregnancies. We report a case of a twin pregnancy in which progressive pleural effusions and hydrops were diagnosed in one of the fetuses at 16 weeks of gestation. An initial evaluation ruled out underlying genetic and anatomic abnormalities in both twins. At 19 weeks gestation, the first procedure of bilateral thoracoamniotic shunting was performed in the affected fetus, subsequent to which the lungs re-expanded and the hydrops resolved. Three additional shunt replacements and one therapeutic amniocentesis were required on follow-up. At 35 weeks, labor was induced. The first fetus (healthy) was delivered vaginally and the second fetus (affected) was delivered by cesarean section. Both neonates are healthy at one year follow-up.