Fetal Endometrial Thickness and Cyst Volume: Can Assessment Assist in Abdominopelvic Cyst Differentiation?

This study presents a novel approach to distinguish abdominopelvic cysts in female fetuses using fetal endometrial thickness (ET) and cyst volume as diagnostic parameters within routine prenatal ultrasound evaluation. We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of cases spanning from 1993 to 2023, classifying patients into ovarian cyst (OC) and non-ovarian cyst (non-OC) groups. The study comprised 44 female fetuses with pathologically confirmed abdominopelvic cysts.

Remarkably, our findings demonstrate a significant increase in fetal endometrial thickness in the OC group compared to the non-OC group, as measured through both ultrasound and MRI. Cyst volume was also significantly higher in the OC group. Linear regression models further substantiated these results.

This research marks the novel evaluation of fetal ET within the existing literature, highlighting its clinical significance in the differential diagnosis of ovarian and non-ovarian cysts. Early identification holds the potential for improved prenatal counseling, timely intervention, and optimized pregnancy management. These findings shed new light on the diagnostic capabilities of prenatal ultrasound in assessing abdominopelvic cysts, offering valuable insights for both clinical practice and future research.