Is expectant management of sonographically benign adnexal cysts an option in selected asymptomatic premenopausal women?
BACKGROUND
The objective was to assess whether expectant management of sonographically benign ovarian cysts may be an option for selected asymptomatic premenopausal women.


METHODS
This is a prospective observational longitudinal study. Between January 1997 and December 2002, 323 asymptomatic premenopausal women (mean age: 40.6 years; range: 19-50 years) diagnosed as having a sonographically benign ovarian cyst measuring <6 cm were offered conservative management with periodic follow-up at 6-12 month intervals. In all cases, a first check was performed 3 months after diagnosis to confirm the 'persistent' nature of the cyst. A total of 120 women agreed to participate in this study and constitute the basis of the data presented.


RESULTS
Mean diameter at diagnosis for the most frequent lesions were as follows: endometrioma 3.3 cm (SD 1.5); simple cyst 4.1 cm (SD 1.6); dermoid cyst 3.2 cm (SD 1.4); haemorrhagic cyst 3.5 cm (SD 1.2); hydrosalpinx 2.9 cm (SD 1.0). With a median follow-up of 42 months (range: 18-94 months), most lesions remained unchanged, both in size and sonographic appearance. Ten cysts (8.3%) disappeared during follow-up, all of them after more than 2 years of follow-up. No patient has developed signs or symptoms suggesting ovarian cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Most sonographically benign ovarian cysts remain unchanged during long-term follow-up. Our data would support conservative management in these cases.
Alcázar
Juan Luis
JL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain. jlalcazar@unav.es
Castillo
Gerardo
G
Jurado
Matías
M
García
Guillermo López
GL
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017697:Premenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color