Title:Ultrasound Characteristics in Complicated Ovarian Cysts
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Author(s): Radhouane Achour*, Najla Rachid, Tarek Hamila and Rim Ben Hmid
Affiliation:
- Research Laboratory for “Embryo-fetal Development Disorder and Placenta” (LR18SP05), Emergency Department of Maternity and Neonatology Center, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, El Manar University of Tunis, Tunis,Tunisia
Keywords:
Ovary, cysts, complications, emergency, ultrasonography, hospitalization.
Abstract: Background: Ultrasonography is the first complementary examination and it is an efficient
method to identify different types of cystic lesions of the ovary as well as their complications.
Objective: This work aims to study ultrasound characteristics of complicated ovarian cysts and their
contribution to emergency department management.
Methods: It is a retrospective study of 61 patients who have consulted the emergency department,
during 6 months, from November 2016 to April 2017. We included all patients consulting the
emergency department for symptoms related to an ovarian cyst.
Results: The average size of the cysts was 5.38± 2.27 cm long axis, ranging from 3 to 12 cm. Their
wall was thin in 59 cases and thick in 4 cases. They were unilocular in 82% and multilocular in
17.5% of cases. The echogenicity of the cysts varied. The contour of the cysts was regular in 54
cases, while irregularity was shown in 9 cases. Intracystic vegetations were illustrated in 4 cases.
The solid component was demonstrated in only 1 cyst. The Douglas effusion was shown in 12.7%
of cases.
The comparison of ultrasound findings between outpatient and hospitalized ones shows that there is
no significant relationship between the following ultrasound features of ovarian cysts and hospitalization‘
s indication (p>5%).
Conclusion: Pelvic ultrasound is of great benefit in the diagnosis of ovarian cysts, however, there is
no significant relationship between the features of ovarian cysts and indication of hospitalization
(p>5%).