Is conservative management of prenatal and neonatal ovarian cysts justifiable?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate conservative management of fetal and neonatal ovarian cysts.


METHODS
We followed the progress of 11 fetal and 2 neonatal ovarian cysts.


RESULTS
Ten fetal cysts were simple at recognition, but 8 silently became complex by birth, with ovarian loss in 6/11 cases (54%). In 2 cases where large simple cysts presented for the first time at birth, serious complications occurred, resulting in the death of 1 newborn.


CONCLUSIONS
If a fetal ovarian cyst is already complex before birth it can be managed conservatively, albeit with loss of the ipsilateral ovary in the majority of cases. As simple fetal ovarian cysts frequently become complex before birth, intervention may be justifiable to preserve the ovary. But any intervention also has the potential for complications, and may be ineffective. Intervention also requires accurate differentiation of ovarian cysts from other abdominal cysts.
Foley
P T
PT
Department of Paediatric Surgery, The Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Ford
W D A
WD
McEwing
R
R
Furness
M
M
D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal