title: Prenatal diagnosis and management of fetal ovarian cysts.
abstract: Congenital ovarian cysts are a pathological condition which can be diagnosed in utero by ultrasound. We report 14 consecutive diagnoses of fetal ovarian cysts, obtained in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Congenital ovarian cysts have almost invariably a good prognosis, and no change in the standard obstetrical management is required. However, the evolution of the disease in utero is extremely variable. The cyst may increase in size, decrease or even disappear, or undergo complications such as torsion and rupture, which may carry some risks to the fetus. When a fetal ovarian cyst is detected, serial ultrasound examinations should be performed. If one of the above complications is suspected, the option of prompt caesarean section should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bologna University School of Medicine, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gabrielli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perolo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pilu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cacciari
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Domini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bovicelli
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D014463:Ultrasonography