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 ≤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 (81%) cases were an isolated malformation; in 5 (19%) cases other malformations were present. Conclusions: 1. Fetal ovarian cysts ≤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.