[Spontaneous regression of neonatal ovarian cysts. A prospective study]

With routine use of ultrasonography in pregnancy and newborns neonatal ovarian cysts are discovered more often. In view of the risk of possible complications they still pose a therapeutic problem. Frequent observations of their spontaneous regression suggest a conservative treatment. From 1988 to 1991 we investigated 21 newborns with the sonographic diagnosis of an ovarian cyst. In three children the cysts were resected primarily because of clinical symptoms or uncertain diagnosis. 18 children were controlled regularly by ultrasound. One of these had a mesenteric cyst, which had to be removed at the age of four months. In the others a complete resolution of all 19 ovarian cysts could be documented after intervals of up to 16 months. In these patients a clinically relevant complication did not occur. Therefore a conservative strategy with regular ultrasound controls is justified in all children with uncomplicated neonatal ovarian cysts. A surgical intervention is indicated only in case of complications or uncertain diagnosis.