Ultrasonographic diagnosis of fetal ovarian cysts: five cases in five years.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcome of ultrasonographically diagnosed fetal ovarian cysts within a 5-year period.


METHODS
This was a retrospective evaluation of the prenatal and postnatal medical records of the five cases of fetal ovarian cyst diagnosed at our institution from January 2002 to December 2006.


RESULTS
The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 31.6 weeks. One of the patients had type I diabetes and another had chronic hypertension and preeclampsia. The mean cyst diameter at diagnosis was 38.3 mm (range 29-60 mm). When diagnosed, four of the cysts were simple and the other was septated. During pregnancy, the septated cyst and two of the simple cysts became hemorrhagic. Postnatally the septated cyst and two of the simple cysts underwent spontaneous remission; the other two cases, corresponding to hemorrhagic cysts, were surgically removed after birth.


CONCLUSIONS
The best clinical approach to a fetal ovarian cyst is controversial. In this small series, three of the five cysts regressed spontaneously, including a hemorrhagic one. Once a fetal ovarian cyst is diagnosed, ultrasonographic monitoring should be provided in order to identify complications and define the best therapeutic approach.
Godinho
Ana Beatriz
AB
Ultrasound Unit of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal. beatrizg@netcabo.pt
Cardoso
Edite
E
Melo
Maria Antonieta
MA
Gonçalves
Miroslava
M
Da Graca
Luís Mendes
LM
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal