Fetal ovarian cyst

Case contributed by Alexandra Stanislavsky
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

G1P0. Growth scan at 37 weeks gestation. Mid trimester ultrasound showed a normal female fetus.

Patient Data

Age: 37 weeks GA
Gender: Female

Third trimester ultrasound

ultrasound

There is a smooth walled intra abdominal unilocular cyst. It is located superior to and separate from the bladder. It is also separate from the kidneys, stomach and gallbladder.  Normal growth and the remainder of the morphology scan was normal.

Postnatal US at 1wk post birth

ultrasound

Persistent unilocular cyst which is centered superior to a normal appearing uterus and bladder. It appears to be arising from the right adnexa. The right ovary was not identified separate to this, further supporting the suspicion of an ovarian cyst as a most likely differential diagnosis. A normal left ovary was seen.

Case Discussion

The appearance of a simple, thin walled unilocular cyst in the otherwise normal abdomen of a female fetus is most likely to represent an ovarian cyst. Differentials include a mesenteric cyst or a duplication cyst.  Post natal ultrasound appears to support this, with localization of the cyst to the right adnexa. 

The baby was clinically well in the early post natal period, however there is a known risk of ovarian torsion. Ongoing followup is pending.

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