Ovarian Cyst Flashcards
What is an ovarian cyst?
Fluid filled sac in the ovaries
How can ovarian cysts present?
- pelvic pain
- bloating
- fullness in the abdomen
- palpable pelvic mass
How do the majority of ovarian cysts present?
- Asymptomatically and found incidentally on pelvic ultrasound scans
What are the different types of ovarian cyst?
Physiological cysts
Dermoid
Benign epithelial tumours
Benign sex cord stromal tumour
What type of cysts are physiological cysts?
Functional cysts
What are the 2 main types of physiological cyst?
Follicular cysts
Corpus luteum cysts
What is the most common type of ovarian cyst?
Follicular cyst
What can happen to follicular cysts after a few menstrual cycles?
They usually regress
What is another term for dermoid cysts?
Benign germ cell tumours
What are dermoid cysts?
Mature cystic teratomas
What are dermoid cysts the most common form of?
Benign ovarian tumour in woman under the age of 30 years
When are dermoiid cysts usually diagnosed?
At around 30 years of age
How do dermoid cysts usually present?
Asymptomatically
What can dermoid cysts contain?
They are lined with epithelial tissue and may contain skin appendages, hair and teeth
What are dermoid cysts associated with?
Ovarian torsion
What imaging can be used in the diagnosis of ovarian cysts?
Ultrasound
What is the management of a premenopausal women with a simple ovarian cyst <5cm on ultrasound?
No further investigation required
What would you look for in the blood of someone with an ovarian cyst?
CA 125
What is the management of a simple cyst less than 5cm?
Shoudl resolve in 3 menstrual cycles
What is the management of an ovarian cyst between 5-7cm?
Routine referral to gynaecology and yearly ultrasound monitoring
What is the management of a simple cyst more than 7cm?
Consider MRI or surgical evaluation as they can be difficult to characterise on ultrasound
What is the initial management of a dermoid cyst?
Referral to gynaecology for further assessment and consideration of surgery
What surgery can be carried out for a dermoid cyst?
Ovarian cystectomy, and possible oophorectomy
What is the management of a complex
Complex i.e. multi-loculated ovarian cyst?
Biopsy to exclude malignancy.
