The prevalence of incidental simple ovarian cysts >or= 3 cm detected by transvaginal sonography in early pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of simple ovarian cysts of >or= 3 cm diameter detected by transvaginal sonography (TVS) in a population of asymptomatic women in early pregnancy.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of 10,830 consecutive women presenting prior to 14 weeks' gestational age (GA) for early dating TVS. The records of all women with simple cysts >or= 3 cm in diameter were included. The study population was divided into five groups by GA: >or= 6 weeks; 6.1-8 weeks; 8.1-10 weeks; 10.1-12 weeks; and 12.1-14 weeks.


RESULTS
A simple cyst >or= 3 cm in diameter was present in 4.9% of women at >or= 6 weeks' gestation, in 5.1% between 6.1 and 8 weeks, in 5.3% between 8.1 and 10 weeks, in 3.2% between 10.1. and 12 weeks, and in 1.5% between 12 and 14 weeks. Overall, a simple cyst >or= 3 cm was present in 516 women (4.8%). Prior to 10 weeks, 5.1% had simple cysts >or= 3 cm, dropping to 2.7% after 10 weeks, a statistically significant decrease (P<0.0001). Between 10.1 weeks and 12 weeks, the prevalence dropped to 3.2%, and then to 1.5% in the 12.1-14 week group.


CONCLUSIONS
This investigation provides reference data on the prevalence of detecting simple ovarian cysts >or= 3 cm by TVS in an asymptomatic early pregnancy population. A progressive decline in the frequency of detecting simple ovarian cysts >or= 3 cm begins after 10 weeks' gestational age.
Glanc
Phyllis
P
Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canadda.
Brofman
Nicole
N
Salem
Shia
S
Kornecki
Anat
A
Abrams
Jason
J
Farine
Dan
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal