{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,19]],"date-time":"2026-02-19T05:01:57Z","timestamp":1771477317905,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":33,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,14]],"date-time":"2025-08-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1755129600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Pediatr."],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title><jats:p>This study retrospectively analyzed the prenatal ultrasound features and outcomes of fetal neck masses to improve the understanding of fetal neck masses and provide evidence for prenatal consultation, prognosis assessment, delivery mode selection, and clinical intervention.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>From January 2018 to November 2023, 18 patients who underwent routine prenatal ultrasonography in the ultrasound department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital or who were referred to our hospital for the diagnosis of a fetal neck mass were retrospectively identified. Their prenatal ultrasound characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were examined and follow-up was conducted.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>There were 18 cases of fetal neck masses. The mean gestational age at which the fetal neck mass was first detected was 27\u2009\u00b1\u20096 weeks (range 17\u201338 weeks). There were seven (39%) male fetuses, nine (50%) female fetuses, and two (11%) fetuses of undetermined sex. The clinical diagnosis was lymphangioma in 14 cases (78%), hemangioma in two (11%), teratoma in one (6%), and congenital goiter in one (6%). The maximum diameter of the fetal neck mass at the first ultrasound examination was 1.8\u20138.6\u2005cm, and the median diameter was 4.3 (2.5, 6.5)\u2005cm. The median mass volume was 17.0 (3.5, 59.0)\u2005cm<jats:sup>3<\/jats:sup> (range 1.0\u2013219.0\u2005cm<jats:sup>3<\/jats:sup>). The neck mass was cystic in nine cases, a cystic solid mass with compartmentalization in five cases, and a solid mass with a blood flow signal in four cases. Sixteen fetuses were delivered by elective cesarean section, while two were born via induced labor. The average postnatal follow-up time was 27 months, and the longest follow-up was 6 years. There were 13 cases (72%) with a favorable outcome and five (28%) with an unfavorable outcome.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p>A fetal neck mass is a rare benign lesion. Accurate evaluation of the size and location of the cervical mass by prenatal ultrasound, auxiliary examinations such as magnetic resonance imaging, and assessments of clinical manifestations and related complications are crucial for appropriate prenatal consultation, prognosis assessment, delivery mode selection, and postpartum management. Multidisciplinary treatment is essential for the successful management of fetal cervical masses.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fped.2025.1516356","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,14]],"date-time":"2025-08-14T05:35:16Z","timestamp":1755149716000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis and prognosis assessment of fetal neck masses"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Peipei","family":"Zhang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Xining","family":"Wu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yunshu","family":"Ouyang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Tianrui","family":"Yang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yixiu","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Hui","family":"You","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yan","family":"Lv","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yulin","family":"Jiang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Qing","family":"Dai","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Hua","family":"Meng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,14]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1385","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-021-80976-4","article-title":"Role of prenatal imaging in the diagnosis and management of fetal facio-cervical masses","volume":"11","author":"Zheng","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"769","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clp.2018.07.012","article-title":"Congenital neck masses","volume":"45","author":"Quintanilla-Dieck","year":"2018","journal-title":"Clin Perinatol"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2181","DOI":"10.1080\/14767058.2018.1543393","article-title":"Prenatal diagnosis of cervical masses by magnetic resonance imaging and 3D virtual models: perinatal and long-term follow-up outcomes","volume":"33","author":"Paula","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"243590","DOI":"10.1155\/2013\/243590","article-title":"Ultrasound diagnosis of fetal neck masses: a case series","volume":"2013","author":"Rauff","year":"2013","journal-title":"Case Rep Obstet Gynecol"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"110851","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijporl.2021.110851","article-title":"Risk factor analysis and outcomes of airway management in antenatally diagnosed cervical masses","volume":"149","author":"Barrette","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol"},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1019","DOI":"10.1002\/jum.15783","article-title":"Prenatal diagnosis of fetal lymphangioma: a case series","volume":"41","author":"Diaz-Primera","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Ultrasound Med"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"268","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejogrb.2018.10.018","article-title":"Fetal lymphangioma: prenatal diagnosis on ultrasound, treatment, and prognosis","volume":"231","author":"Li","year":"2018","journal-title":"Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"274","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejogrb.2018.10.031","article-title":"Treatment and prognosis of fetal lymphangioma","volume":"231","author":"Jiao-Ling","year":"2018","journal-title":"Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijporl.2017.02.016","article-title":"Cystic cervical teratoma: a diagnostic and management challenge","volume":"95","author":"Wolter","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1057","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijporl.2012.03.010","article-title":"Perinatal airway management of neonatal cervical teratomas","volume":"76","author":"Taghavi","year":"2012","journal-title":"Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1203","DOI":"10.1002\/pd.5722","article-title":"Fetal brain, head, and neck tumors: prenatal imaging and management","volume":"40","author":"Feygin","year":"2020","journal-title":"Prenat Diagn"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"386","DOI":"10.1097\/MOP.0b013e3283531b51","article-title":"EXIT procedure for fetal neck masses","volume":"24","author":"Olutoye","year":"2012","journal-title":"Curr Opin Pediatr"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"221","DOI":"10.5152\/balkanmedj.2015.150096","article-title":"Fetal oropharyngeal and neck tumors: determination of the need for ex-utero intrapartum treatment procedure","volume":"32","author":"\u00d6zg\u00fcnen","year":"2015","journal-title":"Balkan Med J"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e683","DOI":"10.1542\/neo.24-10-e683","article-title":"Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal management of a fetal pericardial mass","volume":"24","author":"Weigel","year":"2023","journal-title":"Neoreviews"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1058","DOI":"10.3174\/ajnr.A0502","article-title":"Terminal myelocystocele and sacrococcygeal teratoma: a comparison of fetal ultrasound presentation and perinatal risk","volume":"28","author":"Yu","year":"2007","journal-title":"AJNR Am J Neuroradiol"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"873","DOI":"10.7863\/ultra.32.5.873","article-title":"Sonographic features of rare posterior fetal neck masses of vascular origin","volume":"32","author":"Kaplan","year":"2013","journal-title":"J Ultrasound Med"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"650","DOI":"10.1017\/S0022215120001206","article-title":"Ex utero intrapartum treatment to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: lifesaving management of a giant cervical teratoma","volume":"134","author":"Reeve","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Laryngol Otol"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"66","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijporl.2017.02.011","article-title":"Teratoma of the neonatal head and neck: a 41-year experience","volume":"97","author":"Brodsky","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"109642","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijporl.2019.109642","article-title":"Ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) for fetal neck masses: a tertiary center experience and literature review","volume":"127","author":"Jiang","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol"},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1016\/j.otc.2014.09.013","article-title":"Prenatal diagnosis of obstructive head and neck masses and perinatal airway management: the ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure","volume":"48","author":"Walz","year":"2015","journal-title":"Otolaryngol Clin North Am"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"605","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mric.2012.06.002","article-title":"Fetal MRI: head and neck","volume":"20","author":"Mirsky","year":"2012","journal-title":"Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"917","DOI":"10.1007\/s11547-019-01049-1","article-title":"Prenatal MRI of neck masses with special focus on the evaluation of foetal airway","volume":"124","author":"Ravelli","year":"2019","journal-title":"Radiol Med"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"215","DOI":"10.2214\/AJR.18.19753","article-title":"Fetal head and neck masses: mRI prediction of significant morbidity","volume":"212","author":"Ng","year":"2019","journal-title":"AJR Am J Roentgenol"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1210","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpedsurg.2015.02.035","article-title":"Prenatally diagnosed neck masses: long-term outcomes and quality of life","volume":"50","author":"Sheikh","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Pediatr Surg"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"733","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpedsurg.2018.09.018","article-title":"Multidisciplinary management of congenital giant head and neck masses: our experience and review of the literature","volume":"54","author":"Gaffuri","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Pediatr Surg"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2473974X","DOI":"10.1177\/2473974X211055372","article-title":"Super-resolution reconstruction MRI application in fetal neck masses and congenital high airway obstruction syndrome","volume":"5","author":"Mufti","year":"2021","journal-title":"OTO Open"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"799","DOI":"10.1590\/1414-431X20143895","article-title":"Prenatal management, pregnancy and pediatric outcomes in fetuses with septated cystic hygroma","volume":"47","author":"Sanhal","year":"2014","journal-title":"Braz J Med Biol Res"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"33","DOI":"10.1002\/pd.5394","article-title":"Z scores of the fetal trachea and bronchial dimension","volume":"39","author":"Cao","year":"2019","journal-title":"Prenat Diagn"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1225","DOI":"10.1002\/pd.6586","article-title":"Management of fetal head and neck masses: evaluation of prenatal factors associated with airway obstruction and decision for definitive airway and ex-utero intrapartum treatment at birth","volume":"44","author":"Schmoke","year":"2024","journal-title":"Prenat Diagn"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1593","DOI":"10.1002\/pd.6651","article-title":"Predicting the difficult neonatal airway in fetuses with micrognathia, oropharyngeal or neck mass lesions: two-center experience with fetal MRI","volume":"44","author":"Goergen","year":"2024","journal-title":"Prenat Diagn"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"346","DOI":"10.1002\/jcu.23403","article-title":"Ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance imaging: clinical performance in the prenatal diagnosis of orofacial clefts and mandibular abnormalities","volume":"51","author":"Tonni","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Clin Ultrasound"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"817","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpedsurg.2011.02.006","article-title":"Ex-utero intrapartum treatment procedure for giant neck masses\u2013fetal and maternal outcomes","volume":"46","author":"Lazar","year":"2011","journal-title":"J Pediatr Surg"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"34","DOI":"10.1016\/j.siny.2009.05.007","article-title":"Ex-utero intrapartum therapy","volume":"15","author":"Liechty","year":"2010","journal-title":"Semin Fetal Neonatal Med"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Pediatrics"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fped.2025.1516356\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,14]],"date-time":"2025-08-14T05:35:17Z","timestamp":1755149717000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fped.2025.1516356\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,14]]},"references-count":33,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fped.2025.1516356"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fped.2025.1516356","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2360"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2360","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,14]]},"article-number":"1516356"}}