[Neonatal ovarian cysts. Apropos of 4 cases]

When the authors had seen four cases of ovarian cysts in the newborn during the course of a few months they decided to describe this pathology. All four cases were discovered in utero during the course of ultrasound examination at gestationaL ages between 28 and 36 weeks. Pictures were obtained of round abdominal liquid areas measuring between 45 and 75 mm in diameter, which were separate from the bladder and the kidneys in female fetuses. One of the cysts showed two different ultrasound zones, of which one seemed to be a deposit of blood which was taken to be evidence of torsion of the ovary in utero. The diagnosis was confirmed after birth by clinical examination, straight X-ray of the abdomen, intravenous urography and ultrasound examination of the newborn. The pathological cause of these cysts is still unknown, but suggests that there was probably an abnormal stimulation by the mother's H.C.G. or abnormal enzyme activity of the theca interna. In each case delivery was vaginal. Although in each of these cases the cysts were benign they were treated surgically because all authors agree that there are risks of complications due to torsion or rupture and because one cannot be certain that they are benign.