Ultrasonography of spontaneously resolving ovarian masses

Abstract

To evaluate the sonographic characteristics of functional ovarian cyst with or without hemorrhage, we peformeda prospective analysis of 56 cases of benign, cystic ovarian mass that is not related to pregnancy inpremenopausal women. At least two examinations with transabdominal and/or transvaginal US were performed in allpatients over one menstrual cycle time interval . US patterns of the masses were cathgorized into 5 types : type A; anechoic, unilocular cyst, type B ; unilocular cyst with internal echoes. type C ; septated cyst, type D ;complex cyst, type E ; solid mass with posterior reenhancement. Fifty five percent (31 cases) of the massesresolved spontaneously on follow-up US examination. In these cases with spontaneous resolution, 11 cases (35.5%)were simple cyst, while the remaining 20 cases (64.5%) were hemorrhagic ovarian cysts having variable sonographicfindings of types B to E. Eleven cases with no resolution were proven surgically as endometrioma (n=4),hemorrhagic parovarian cyst (n=2), serous cystadenoma (n=2), mucinous cystadenoma (n=2), and tuboovarian abscess(n=1). Sonographic differentiation of these cases from hemorrhagic cysts was difficult. in conclusion, as thefunctional ovarian cysts, especially the hemorrhagic cysts, are common and show variable sonographic features, werecommend a follow-up US examination after on or two mentrual cycles in all premenopausal women with benign,cystic ovarian mass to eliminate unnecessary operation. Keyword : Ovary,neoplasms