MANAGEMENT OF OVARIAN-CYST DETECTED BY PRENATAL ULTRASOUNDS

As a result of refinements in Prenatal Ultrasonography (US), neonatal ovarian cysts are more frequently encountered than in the past. Betwee n January 1981 and December 1990, 21 consecutive fetuses with ovarian cysts were followed up by ultrasonography. 23 ovarian cysts were diagn osed between 28 and 38 weeks gestation. 18 cysts were initially large cysts (more than 50 mm in diameter). In 9 cases, an anechoic cyst was observed and a US-guided needle aspiration of the cyst was, performed (2 antenatally and 7 postnatally). Ultrasonographic patterns of compli cated cyst were observed in 3 fetuses. After a postnatal ultrasound co ntrol, 11 infants were operated on: 8 surgical interventions were requ ired for complicated cysts (torsion: 4, hemorrhage: 4), 3 cases irresp ective of their sonographic appearance in our initial experience. In t he remaining cases, spontaneous resolution was followed by repeated ul trasonographic examination. Prenatal ultrasonography today allows diag nosis of ovarian cysts and may suggest antenatal complications. To pre serve as much ovarian tissue as possible, cysts greater than 50 mm in diameter should be candidates for percutaneous aspiration and complex cystic masses should be operated on.