Fetal and Neonatal Ovarian Cyst Management
Summary
Fetal and neonatal ovarian cysts are the most common intra-abdominal masses detected in female fetuses and newborns, arising from hormonal stimulation of ovarian follicles. These cysts range from simple, anechoic lesions that often resolve spontaneously to complex structures with haemorrhagic or solid components that carry a higher risk of torsion, necrosis and subsequent loss of ovarian tissue. Management strategies balance the likelihood of spontaneous regression against the risk of complications. Serial prenatal and postnatal ultrasonography guides decision making, with thresholds of cyst diameter and morphological change informing expectant management, ultrasound-guided intrauterine aspiration and postnatal surgery. Preservation of ovarian function and future fertility underpins the choice of minimally invasive techniques, while prompt intervention may be required in cases of rapid growth, symptom onset or imaging features suggestive of compromised vascular flow.
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Fetal and Neonatal Ovarian Cyst Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in fetal and neonatal ovarian cyst management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Fetal ovarian cyst: Fluid-filled ovarian lesion detected on antenatal ultrasound.
Simple cyst: Unilocular, anechoic structure without septations or solid areas.
Complex cyst: Lesion with septations, echogenic material or solid components, indicating possible haemorrhage or torsion.
Intrauterine aspiration: Ultrasound-guided drainage of cyst fluid before delivery to prevent enlargement or torsion.
IOTA terminology: Standardised lexicon for characterising ovarian masses in ultrasound imaging.
Adnexal torsion: Twisting of the ovary and fallopian tube leading to compromised blood flow and tissue ischaemia.
References
- Using IOTA terminology to evaluate fetal ovarian cysts: analysis of 51 cysts over 10‐year period. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (2023).
- The Role of Prenatal Ultrasound Examination in Predicting the Outcomes of Ovarian Fetal Cysts: A Pictorial Essay. Diagnostics (2024).
- Diagnosis, Management, and Therapy of Fetal Ovarian Cysts Detected by Prenatal Ultrasonography: A Report of 36 Cases and Literature Review. Diagnostics (2021).
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