Ultrasonographic diagnosis of fetal ovarian cysts: five cases in five years

To evaluate the outcome of ultrasonographically diagnosed fetal ovarian cysts within a 5-year period.

This was a retrospective evaluation of the prenatal and postnatal medical records of the five cases of fetal ovarian cyst diagnosed at our institution from January 2002 to December 2006.

The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 31.6 weeks. One of the patients had type I diabetes and another had chronic hypertension and preeclampsia. The mean cyst diameter at diagnosis was 38.3 mm (range 29-60 mm). When diagnosed, four of the cysts were simple and the other was septated. During pregnancy, the septated cyst and two of the simple cysts became hemorrhagic. Postnatally the septated cyst and two of the simple cysts underwent spontaneous remission; the other two cases, corresponding to hemorrhagic cysts, were surgically removed after birth.

The best clinical approach to a fetal ovarian cyst is controversial. In this small series, three of the five cysts regressed spontaneously, including a hemorrhagic one. Once a fetal ovarian cyst is diagnosed, ultrasonographic monitoring should be provided in order to identify complications and define the best therapeutic approach.