SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF A RETROPERITONEAL DERMOID CYST IN A YOUNG GIRL

We describe the detection and management of a retroperitoneal dermoid cyst in a young girl. Transabdominal ultra sound revealed in the pelvi s a complex mass with anechogenic and echogenic components characteris tic of a dermoid cyst. Initially, it was presumed to be of ovarian ori gin, because extragonadal dermoid cysts are very rare in adolescence; however, the findings on physical examination were normal. Laparoscopy was performed but failed to identify a cyst. Ultrasound examination w as repeated intraoperatively and confirmed the presence of the cyst, w hich was then removed by laparotomy from the retroperitoneum. This cas e illustrates the significance of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of a rare condition in adolescent gynecology and demonstrates the possibi lity of performing ultrasound scanning intraoperatively to confirm the presence of a mass which was not identified by laparoscopy.