[Assessment of the usefulness of ultrasound screening in fetal ovarian cysts]

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of ultrasound in management and prognosis in fetal ovarian cysts.

Material and methods: The study included 38 fetuses with cyst in abdominal cavity, who, between 1995 and 2006, underwent an ultrasound examination in our unit at the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital in Lodz, The Department for Diagnosis and Prevention of Birth Defects.

Results: In all 38 fetuses with cyst in abdominal cavity we have diagnosed 27 (74%) cases of ovarian cyst. In 14 (74%) fetuses cysts regressed spontaneously, including all cysts < or = 40mm (n = 7). In 3 cases with cysts > 40mm needle aspiration has been successfully performed, without any further complications. Surgical neonatal treatment has been performed in 5 cases in prenatal cysts > 40mm without prenatal aspiration. In 3 cases cysts > 40mm regressed spontaneously. Ovarian cysts in 22 (87%) cases were an isolated malformation; in 5 (19%) cases other malformations were present

Conclusions: 1. Fetal ovarian cysts < or = 40mm required only ultrasound assessment and, in majority of cases, revealed the tendency to spontaneous regression. 2. Cysts > 40mm in maximal diameter have signaled complications more often and required surgical procedure after birth. 3. In utero, aspiration of fetal ovarian cyst > 40mm may lead to cyst regression, making the surgery after birth unnecessary.