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Ovarian cysts and tumours in childhood
S Nour1, A E MacKinnon, J A Dickson
1Sub-department of Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK.
Insights
Pediatric ovarian cysts and tumors often present as emergencies with abdominal pain. Early diagnosis using imaging is crucial for effective treatment of these conditions in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Pediatric Radiology
Background:
- Ovarian cysts and tumors are uncommon in children but can cause significant morbidity.
- A substantial proportion of pediatric ovarian masses require emergency surgical intervention due to complications like torsion or rupture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and outcomes of ovarian cysts and tumors in a pediatric cohort.
- To highlight the importance of considering ovarian pathology in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 39 pediatric patients diagnosed with ovarian cysts or tumors.
- Analysis of clinical data including presentation, imaging findings (ultrasonography, computed tomographic scanning), surgical management, and histopathology.
Main Results:
- Over two-thirds of patients presented with acute abdominal pain, often as an emergency.
- The majority of cases (34/39) involved benign ovarian disease.
- Malignant ovarian tumors were rare (2/5 primary ovarian origin), emphasizing the predominantly benign nature of these masses in children.
Conclusions:
- Ovarian cysts and tumors in children frequently manifest as acute abdominal emergencies.
- Advanced imaging modalities like ultrasonography and CT scanning are vital for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.
- Ovarian pathology should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
The clinical features of 39 children with ovarian cysts and tumours are presented. Over two-thirds presented as an emergency with abdominal pain. Thirty-four patients had benign ovarian disease. Only two of the five malignant tumours were of primary ovarian origin. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic scanning can be of valuable assistance in diagnosis and planning surgery. The diagnosis of ovarian cysts and tumours should be considered among the less common causes of acute abdominal pain in children.