How is an incidentally discovered asymptomatic simple ovarian cyst seen on Ultrasound treated
What is the recommended management of an incidentally discovered asymptomatic simple ovarian cyst seen on US in premenopausal versus postmenopausal women?
Recommendations are based on a consensus conference statement from the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (SRU) that convened a panel of specialists from gynecology, radiology, and pathology in 2009. In premenopausal women, a simple cyst measuring less than 5 cm does not require follow-up. If the simple cyst measures greater than 5 cm, then yearly US is recommended to monitor changes in size although the lesion is considered most certainly benign. In postmenopausal women, a simple cyst measuring less than 1 cm does not require follow-up as it is most likely benign. For a simple cyst measuring greater than 1 cm, yearly US is recommended although it is likely benign. Both in pre- and postmenopausal women, any cyst measuring greater than 7 cm should undergo further workup with MRI or possibly surgical intervention because it may not be sufficiently assessed given the limitations of field of view with US.
