Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Drainage of Fetal Ovarian Cyst

Abstract

Introduction: Ovarian cysts are the most frequent cause of intra-abdominal masses in female fetuses. Depending on its size and clinical evolution, treatment can be expectant until an open surgical approach or postnatal laparoscopic resection. Performing prenatal ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration is an option, although it is a controversial procedure. Nevertheless, the use is proposed in individualized cases, taking into account risks and benefits. A case of such a procedure is reported at 35.1 weeks of gestation.
Objective: To report a case of ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of a fetal ovarian cyst in the prenatal stage.
Case report: We report the case of a 36-year-old pregnant woman with obstetric ultrasound revealing a fetal ovarian cyst of approximately 300 mL; the performance of the ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration prenatally was decided.
Conclusions: Decompression of the fetal ovarian cyst, in selected cases, can preserve the ovaries at risk of torsion and it can avoid complications inherent to intra-abdominal compression.