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To cite this article: E. Hederström & L. Forsberg (1990) Entrapped ovarian cyst, Acta Radiologica,
31:3, 285-286
FROM THE DEPARTMENTS OF DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, S-221 85 LUND, SWEDEN.
E. HEDERSTROM
and L. FORSBERC
285
286 E. HEDERSTROM AND L. FORSBERG
Fig. 1. Cyst of small size dorsal to the iliac vessels on US. a = iliac Fig. 2. Increasing size of the cyst. Abbreviations as in Fig. 1
artery, v = iliac vein, c = cyst.
opment of peritoneal inclusion cysts which arise when the can only be reached by new imaging modalities like US or
fluid produced by normally functioning ovaries gets trapped CT. In these patients it is also tempting to blame recurrent
between pelvic adhesions (3, 4).The peritoneum may after episodes of pain on attacks of subileus and we believe that
previous diseases have an impaired ability to absorb the mechanical intestinal obstruction must first be excluded
produced fluid. The inclusion cysts are adherent to the since the clinical symptoms unfortunately mimick the pain
ovarian surface or contiguous to the adnexa. It is usually created by an entrapped cyst. Also in this respect, US is
impossible to differentiate them by radiologic methods from useful for differential diagnosis or as a complement to ab-
true ovarian cysts or primary parovarian cysts (1, 2), but dominal radiography since fluid-filled intestinal loops
this can be achieved by histopathologic examination ( 5 ) . In usually are well seen.
the presence of a cystic lesion other differential diagnoses Awareness of this pain-producing condition caused by a
should also be considered, e.g. ovarian neoplasms or lymph- combination of ovarian cysts (different types) and pelvic
angioma (3). adhesions may, however, be helpful in the presence of nega-
Our patient had been subjected repeatedly to pelvic sur- tive abdominal radiography and follow through examin-
gery, like most others in previously reported series (in total ations when the addition of US and CT can be recom-
9 out of 10; 2 series) (3, 5 ) , and had tight adhesions sur- mended.
rounding the left ovary. The clinical setting, including diag-
nostic difficulties, was well comparable to that encountered Request for reprints: Dr Esbjorn Hederstrom, Department of
in other patients. Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, S-221 85 Lund, Sweden.
The appearance and location of the mass also changed
somewhat during the observation period, with regard to its
relation to the iliac vessels, being most often located lateral REFERENCES
and dorsal to the vessels. For some time, the possibility of
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