title: Invasive fetal therapies: approach and results in treating fetal ovarian cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To show the validity of prenatal invasive surgical intervention when a fetal ovarian cyst is diagnosed, compared to a wait and see attitude, in order to avoid possible prenatal and postnatal complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen cases of intra-abdominal cysts monitored in our center between April 2005 and November 2010. All cases were first diagnosed in the third trimester, and were monitored for the remainder of the pregnancy and after delivery (2 months-3 years postnatally). SURGICAL INTERVENTION: Upon maternal and fetal cutaneous anesthesia performed trans-amniotically, the cystic fluid (mean contents 43.85 cc, DS 46.27) was extracted for cytological, biochemical, and hormonal examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen cases of intra-abdominal cysts (92.8%) were fetal ovarian cysts. Ninety-two percent of pregnancies bearing such a condition were successfully concluded (n = 12). Sixty-nine percent concluded in vaginal delivery (n = 9). None experienced maternal and/or fetal complications. Every drained cyst had an estradiol concentration higher than 10,000 pg/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The aspiration of ovarian cysts exceeding a 40 mm diameter, performed as early as possible, allows a good longitudinal treatment of this fetal affection, thus avoiding torsion, tissue necrosis, and invasive postnatal surgery, as well as giving hope of future gestational capability to the fetus/newborn.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy Unit, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Policlinico A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy. pi.noia@tin.it
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Noia
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Riccardi
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Visconti
authors: Marcella
authors: M
authors: Pellegrino
authors: Tomasella
authors: T
authors: Quattrocchi
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Tintoni
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Manzoni
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Pintus
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Masini
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Caruso