Follow-up of Neonatal Ovarian Cysts. A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

This study was planned to see the results of follow-up of ovarian cysts in newborn patients at a university hospital.Methods: Newborns with ovarian cysts that were diagnosed by US between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. US follow-up was performed in 2 to 3 month periods. Initial largest diameter of the ovarian cyst, number of cysts, bilateral or unilateral localization, if the cyst is complex or simple, alpha fetoprotein and β-HCG levels, if operated the type of the operation and pathology results were retrieved.Results: Nineteen patients were included. Seven patients had ovarian cysts ≥20 mm and 5 were complex cysts. Two of 5 complex cysts were operated for abdominal mass and ovarian torsion was diagnosed. Other 3 complex cysts are having a conservative treatment due to lack of any clinical symptoms. All regressed in size. All simple cysts had non-operative management and regressed in size during follow-up. AFP levels were high in all. Control AFP levels decreased in all patients.Conclusion: Conservative management seems appropriate for patients both with complex or simple cysts, because nearly all cysts were regressed and both ovaries persisted during follow-up. Surgical decision was the clinical presence of a mass in complex cysts. This is a small series and follow-up is short to make a final decision for management. A consensus is needed among the surgeons about the treatment options after discussing the complications related to conservative and surgical approaches of complex ovarian cysts.

How should the management of ovarian masses in children?

“…However, limited number of patients exposed to oopherectomy had a benign cytopathological diagnosis after the surgery. Oopherectomy should be considered as unacceptable in a benign ovarian mass [28].…”