OVARIAN CYST                                      

Ovarian Cyst is a fluid filled sac within the ovarian tissue is known as ovarian cyst.

Classification:

1 .Functional ovarian cyst:  are physiological cyst formed due to hormonal variation. It is also seen in infertile women on ovulation inducing agents.

2 .Benign ovarian cyst: commonly seen cysts are endometriotic cyst, dermoid cyst and cystadenoma.

The exact etiology of Endometriotic cyst  is unknown. Dermoid cysts are formed from the layers of growing embryonic tissue. Cystadenomas are epithelial ovarian cysts.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain

Menstrual irregularities

Nausea, vomiting, bowel obstruction symptoms

Urinary complaints

Dyspareunia - pain while having intercourse

Infertility

Ocassionally cyst size enlarges and twists on itself giving rise to severe abdominal pain and surgical emergency.

Investigations

1. Tumor markers - Ca-125, B - HCG, CEA antigen are performed though they are not specific indicators of a particular type of cyst. 

2. Abdominal sonography or Ultrasound - ovarian cysts are best diagnosed on sonography.

3. CT scan, MRI are performed in cases where there is diagnostic dilemma.

Treatment:

Except in functional ovarian cyst, all ovarian cyst which are symptomatic and above 5cms in dimension, need surgical management.

Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy is the treatment of choice for ovarian cyst. In suspected cases of malignancy staging laparotomy is performed.