Adnexal masses in female pediatric patients

This article reviews the range of adnexal masses that present in pediatric females. The preferred imaging modalities, the appearance of the normal ovaries, and the epidemiology of ovarian diseases and abnormalities are discussed. The illustrated abnormalities include simple and complex ovarian and paraovarian cysts, neoplasms, ovarian torsion, ectopic pregnancy, and tuboovarian abscess, with attention to the imaging features and vascular flow patterns that help distinguish surgical from nonsurgical cases, malignant from benign lesions, and ovarian abnormalities from mimickers.

The critical clinical questions to the radiologist in the setting of adnexal lesions are the site of origin, benign versus malignant features, and presence of infection or abscess. Pairing clinical presentation and imaging findings will direct appropriate management, whether it is reassurance, follow-up imaging, or surgery.