[Prenatal diagnostic imaging of abdominal cysts. Report of 9 cases]

The authors report on 9 cases of cystic lesion detected by fetal ultrasound echography, uropathies and bowel dilatations having been excluded. The lesions were detected at a fairly advanced stage of pregnancy, during the 3rd trimester and involved 8 girls and 1 boy. Investigation of possible chromosomal and associated anomalies was carried out in each case. Analysis confirmed the frequency of ovarian cysts in the female subjects (6), but also demonstrated the following: 1 case of bowel duplication, 1 cystic Meckel diverticulum, 1 liver biliary cyst (boy). The etiology and diagnostic difficulties and the approach to be adopted are noted. The authors emphasize the frequent signs of complications, especially as regards ovarian cysts. A thorough clinical examination and echographic detection and confirmation of the lesions is indicated followed by early surgical intervention if the cyst persists; so that, particularly in the case of ovarian cysts, the organ in question is preserved to the maximum.