Postnatal outcome in cases of prenatally diagnosed fetal ovarian cysts under conservative prenatal management.

Aim: To evaluate the outcome of cases of prenatally diagnosed fetal ovarian cyst under conservative prenatal management. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed between January 2005 and August 2013. They were managed expectantly during pregnancy and followed up until spontaneous regression of the cyst or postnatal surgery. The outcomes of fetal ovarian cysts were compared combined appearance as being simple or complex at prenatal scan and maximum size of cysts >= 40 or <40 mm. Results:There were 33 study cases. Prenatally 3/33 cases (9%) had spontaneous cyst regression during pregnancy. 14 cysts (42%) were treated surgically, of which torsion was confirmed in 4 (29%). Another 14/33 cases (42%) regressed spontaneously under conservative management after birth. The ovaries could be preserved in 28 patients (85%). The incidence of torsion between complex cysts and simple cysts was not statistically different. The incidence of torsion between patients with cyst size >= 40 and <40 mm was similar. Conclusions: The ovaries could be preserved in approximately 85% of patients under conservative management. The present study could not reveal the significance of prenatal ultrasonographic findings of fetal ovarian cyst for predicting the outcome of patients' ovaries. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel