Ovarian Cyst





KEY FACTS


Imaging





  • Abdominal cyst in female fetus typically located in lower lateral abdomen or pelvis




    • Large cysts may extend into upper abdomen




  • Well circumscribed, generally anechoic, unilocular, avascular with imperceptible walls




    • May have occasional septations




  • Daughter cyst sign: Small follicle along wall of cystic mass




    • Highly specific for ovarian origin



    • 82% sensitive




  • May be bilateral



  • If cyst is seen before 3rd trimester, it is very unlikely that it is ovarian in origin




    • Fetal ovaries are too immature to respond to maternal/placental hormones before 3rd trimester




Scanning Tips





  • Check fetal sex




    • Ovarian cyst is most common cause of intraabdominal cyst in female fetus



    • Male sex excludes diagnosis




  • Confirm normal appearance of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary systems




    • Use high-resolution transducer to characterize cyst wall




      • Layered gut signature in cyst wall is diagnostic of enteric duplication cyst





  • Confirm normal urinary tract




    • High number of cystic abdominal masses are related to urinary tract




  • Comment on size




    • Large cyst (> 6 cm) associated with increased risk of hemorrhage and torsion




  • Consider torsion if




    • New fluid-fluid level



    • Previously anechoic or hypoechoic cyst becomes hyperechoic








Sagittal US shows a unilocular, simple cyst arising from the pelvis, anterior and superior to the bladder and inferior to the stomach . The cyst was shown to be separate from the kidney and liver, and an ovarian cyst was suspected.








Coronal US in a 3rd-trimester female fetus shows a large cyst above the bladder . There is a smaller daughter cyst within the larger cyst. This is the most specific finding for an ovarian cyst.

Nov 10, 2024 | Posted by in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Ovarian Cyst

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