To the Editor:

In the article by Bae et al. (1), a nice overview is given on the prenatal diagnosis of structural hand and upper limb malformations. Recommendations on prenatal counseling of parents having a child with such a deformation will become increasingly important as more deformities are expected to be diagnosed prenatally by improved diagnostic techniques. My only concern is how parents should be counseled on prenatally detected undefined soft tissue tumors. This topic is not addressed in Bae's paper. As the diagnosis is mostly based on clinical findings, radiography, and fine needle biopsy or tissue sampling, its ideal management is controversial and difficult. How should future recommendations be defined?

The author did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of his research for or preparation of this work. Neither he nor a member of his immediate family received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the author, or a member of his immediate family, is affiliated or associated.

References

1. Bae DS, Barnewolt CE, Jennings RW. Prenatal diagnosis and treatment of congenital differences of the hand and upper limb. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91 Suppl 4:31-9.