Fetal Ovarian Cysts: Sonographic Findings and Natural Courses

Kim, Ji Youn; Lee, Eun Hye; Lee, Mee Hwa; Jang, Sung Woon; Cho, Young Ah; Lee, Kyu Hyung

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate sonographic findings and natural courses of fetal ovarian cysts.
METHODS
Seven pregnant women (mean, 26 years old; 33 weeks of gestation) diagnosed with having fetal ovarian cysts were evaluated. All were followed-up more than once in utero. We analyzed the location, size, and characteristics (number of locules, thickness of wall/septa, internal echogenecity) of cysts. Internal echogenecity was categorized into 4 types (A=anechoic, B=fluid-fluid level, C=isoechoic portion, D=lace-like). Amount of amniotic fluid, fetal biometry, and other abnormalities were evaluated.
RESULTS
In all cases, fetal ovarian cysts were located in lateral or anterior lower abdomen. At time of diagnosis, cysts were 4.2 cm in mean size, round and unilocular. Six cases were type A and the other was type B. On follow-up examination, type A cysts were disappeared (n=1), not changed (n=2), increased in size (n=1), or changed in internal echogenecity (n=2; type B and D). The case categorized into type B at the time of diagnosis was changed to type C later. The case categorized into type A at the time of diagnosis was changed to type B on the first follow-up, but changed to type C on the next examination. Finally, all fetal ovarian cysts were disappeared in utero (n=2) or postnatally (n=5). Fetal biometry and amniotic fluid amount were normal. In all cases, no other abnormalities were detected and full-termed healthy female babies were delivered.
CONCLUSION
Fetal ovarian cysts may have various patterns of internal echogenecity although the most common pattern is unilocular anechoic. The size and pattern of internal echogenecity of the fetal ovarian cysts is changeable in utero, however all of them disappear spontaneously in utero or postnatally.