Transvaginal sonographic appearance of hemorrhagic functional ovarian cysts and their spontaneous regression.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain information on the characteristic feature of transvaginal sonograms of hemorrhagic functional ovarian cysts (HFOCs) and their natural course.


METHODS
Thirty-four cases of suspected HFOC based on our tentative criteria were ultrasonically followed-up for 3 months. After the study period, the sonographic findings and their changes with time were analyzed.


RESULTS
Twenty-four cases were clinically diagnosed as HFOCs, as the masses disappeared naturally. At the first examination, 5 cases (20.8%) showed a diffuse echogenic pattern which seems to consist of a blood clot, 9 (37.5%) were mixed pattern with a clearly demarcated solid part, 3 (12.5%) were hyperechoic sponge-like reticular pattern and 7 (29.2%) were cysts including vague echo inside which looked cotton-like. Seven masses (29.2%) disappeared within 2 weeks and the remaining had a different sonographic appearance with time until they disappeared finally within 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
HFOCs show the characteristic changes in transvaginal sonographic appearance and can be diagnosed by short-term follow-up.
Okai
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Kobayashi
K
K
Ryo
E
E
Kagawa
H
H
Kozuma
S
S
Taketani
Y
Y
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography