Management of ovarian cyst detected antenatally

Ovarian cyst was diagnosed in nine fetuses by antenatal ultrasonographic examination. All deliveries were uncomplicated; two were delivered by cesarean section. The clinical condition in all cases was good. Five of the neonates with a large cyst (more than 5 cm in diameter) were managed surgically, while four were merely followed with repeated ultrasonic examinations. In three of the latter four infants, the cysts disappeared without clinical complications during the subsequent 12 months, and one has been followed for only 2 weeks. The treatment of neonatal ovarian cyst is controversial. Since small ovarian cysts are not clinically significant and may involute, conservative treatment after birth is possible. Repeated ultrasonographic examination may be used to follow small cysts in asymptomatic patients. However, surgical excision in the newborn period has been suggested for larger lesions and/or those with solid components inside the cyst before life-threatening complications occur.