T3 L6 Ovarian Cysts Flashcards
(50 cards)
What is the name of the structures in the ovaries that forms the ovum?
One of the PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLES become dominant and forms the ovum
How many women have a cyst but are unaware of it?
1 in 10
NOTE: Most cysts are asymptomatic
Why is pain felt during ovulation?
The pain is felt because the capsule of the ovary is breached
NOTE: Some women are able to tell which ovaries they are ovulating from due to the pain coming from one side, they feel when they ovulate.
TRUE OR FALSE
Ovulation is not random, but it alternates between the left and the right ovaries each month.
FALSE
Ovulation is TOTALLY random.
It doesn’t alternate between the left and right ovaries each month, it primarily depends on which ovary is dominant.
Describe the epidemiology of ovarian cysts
4th most common cause of gynaecological admission
4% of all women in U.K. will be admitted with this by age 65 years
Are ovarian cysts neoplastic or non-neoplastic?
They are BOTH
What % of ovarian cysts are benign?
90%
What % of surgically managed tumour are malignant in:
- premenopausal women
- postmenopausal women
Premenopausal women : 13%
Postmenopausal women : 45%
What are the complications of ovarian cysts?
- Torsion
- Rupture
- Haemorrhage
- Infection
What is torsion?
Spinning of the organ around its blood supply, which eventually cuts off the blood supply
In which sex is it harder to diagnose torsion? Why?
Women
Because the ovaries are buried deep within the abdomen (unlike the testes which is outside the body)
When can the cyst become infected?
The cyst can become infected if it sits against the wall of the bowel, especially when the bowel is inflamed (e.g. in diverticulitis)
How does torsion occur in the ovaries?
The ovarian arteries come from further up near the renal arteries, and they travel down the abdomen to the ovaries.
Therefore the ovaries can spin around the their blood supply, due to their position lower down in the pelvic cavity
What does “gravida” and “para” connote?
Gravida = number of pregnancy Para = number of babies
What do peritoneal signs (e.g. lower abdominal pain) indicate?
An ovarian cyst rupture
What are the types of ovarian cyst ruptures?
Traumatic
Spontaneous
What happens when the ovarian cyst ruptures?
Its contents are disseminated throughout the abdomen
What do the symptoms of the ovarian cyst depends on?
Amount
AND
Character
Of the contents (in the ovarian cysts)
How can you treat the ovarian cysts rupture if it is mild?
-Treat conservatively with morphine
What can you do if you are unsure about the diagnosis (e.g. if you’re not sure whether it is an ovarian cyst rupture)?
Laparoscopy can be carried out
What are the sequelae of an ovarian cyst rupture?
Peritonitis : inflammation of the periotneum
Pseudomyxoma peritonei : rare cancer that usually starts in the appendix
What are the signs of haemorrhage (in the ovarian cyst)?
Localised tenderness
Bleeding causes a local mass which can stretch the ovaries causing pain
What is the adnexum of the uterus?
Fallopian tube (a.k.a uterine tube) Ovaries
If a female comes to the hospital with a pale face and in a lot of pain and has a distended abdomen what must you rule out first?
An ectopic pregnancy
