Fetal pleural effusions can sometimes be detected before birth with ultrasonography.
Intervention may be warranted when there is a condition that results in hydroplastic
lung and/or fetal hydrops. A 22-week-old fetus with a severe pleural effusion and
hydrops was successfully treated by long-term pleural drainage with a double basket
catheter from 22 to 39 weeks of gestation.
Primary fetal hydrothorax - fetal intervention - thracoamniotic shunting