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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Surgical Techniques to Optimize Ovarian Reserve during Laparoscopic Cystectomy for Ovarian Endometrioma
Published on: January 22, 2022
Concurrent maternal and fetal ovarian cysts
Sarah A Francis1, Alexander E Heazell, Srirupa Chakravorty
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Blackburn Hospital, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, UK. sarahfrancis46@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Due to improvements in ultrasonography, the detection of fetal abdominal masses has increased. We describe a case of co-existing maternal and fetal ovarian cysts in a 37-year-old primiparous woman. The fetal ovarian cyst was first identified in the third trimester and reached a maximum diameter of 9 cm. The maternal cysts were present from 20 weeks onwards; with a maximum diameter of 8 cm. Histological examination showed the maternal lesions were benign dermoid cysts. The fetal lesion resolved spontaneously by 5 months. This case illustrates that fetal and maternal ovarian cysts may co-exist and could potentially have a similar hormonal etiology.
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