Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts in patients on anticoagulation therapy: CT findings.
OBJECTIVE
Hemorrhage into ovarian cysts is a frequent and potentially life-threatening complication in women on chronic anticoagulation therapy. This article presents the CT findings of three surgically confirmed cases of symptomatic hemorrhagic ovarian cysts associated with anticoagulation therapy.


METHODS
There were two cases of unruptured hemorrhagic ovarian cysts: a patient with two corpus luteum cysts of menstruation and a patient with a serous cystadenoma.


RESULTS
Each mass had a rounded central region of high attenuation (76, 62, and 50 HU) representing blood that was surrounded by fluid density. The third case was a hemorrhagic corpus luteum cyst of menstruation with rupture and hemoperitoneum.


CONCLUSIONS
Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of high-attenuation adnexal masses, especially in patients on anticoagulation therapy and in those with abrupt onset of pelvic pain.
Wilbur
A C
AC
Department of Radiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Goldstein
L D
LD
Prywitch
B A
BA
D000328:Adult; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014859:Warfarin