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Postnatal outcome of antenatally diagnosed intra-abdominal cysts
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, University of Oxford and John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
Insights
Antenatal ultrasound diagnosis of abdominal cysts is often nonspecific. Many cysts resolve, but some require surgery, highlighting the need for accurate postnatal assessment for better parental counseling.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Fetal Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Prenatal diagnosis of intra-abdominal cysts presents challenges in predicting postnatal outcomes.
- Accurate antenatal assessment is crucial for appropriate management and parental counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of antenatal diagnosis for abdominal cystic lesions.
- To determine the postnatal outcomes of these lesions over a 13-year period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 55 patients with antenatal diagnosis of abdominal cystic lesions.
- Analysis of antenatal diagnosis, gestational age, sex, and postnatal diagnosis and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 24% of cysts resolved spontaneously by postnatal scan.
- 29% required postnatal surgical intervention.
- Antenatal diagnosis was specific in 53% of cases, with 43% confirmed postnatally.
Conclusions:
- Antenatal ultrasound may not reliably predict the exact pathological diagnosis of abdominal cystic lesions.
- This study offers valuable data on lesion persistence and diagnostic accuracy for improved prenatal counseling.
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to establish the postnatal diagnosis and outcome of all abdominal cystic lesions diagnosed antenatally over a 13-year period. All prenatally suspected and postnatally confirmed intra-abdominal cysts seen and delivered between 1991 and 2004 were identified. Antenatal diagnosis, gestational age at delivery, sex and postnatal diagnosis and outcome were recorded. Fifty-five patients were identified with an antenatal diagnosis of abdominal cystic lesion. There were 53 live births and 2 intrauterine deaths. In 13 cases (24%) the cyst had resolved on a postnatal scan. Sixteen (29%) required surgical intervention postnatally. Twenty-six (47%) were given a "non-specific" diagnosis of abdominal cyst antenatally. Three (11%) of these non-specific cysts had resolved on postnatal scan. A "specific" diagnosis of the abdominal cyst was made antenatally in 29 cases (53%) of which 12 (43%) had the diagnosis confirmed postnatally. In ten (35%) of these there was a normal postnatal scan. Antenatal ultrasound scans may not reliably predict the exact pathological diagnosis of abdominal cystic lesions. However this study provides valuable information on the proportion of correctly diagnosed lesions and those that will persist into the postnatal period allowing more informative counselling for prospective parents.
