Management of Adnexal Masses During Pregnancy: A Literature Review

Abstract

Although the exact incidence of adnexal masses in pregnancy is not clear, its occurrence is considered very common. The majority of them are functional cysts (follicular, corpus luteum and theca lutein cysts), dermoid cysts and cystadenomas, and they resolve spontaneously, but a considerable percentage can be malignant. The use of ultrasounds in conjunction with IOTA's guidelines is crucial in order to stratify the risk and help the physician to determine the management. The very recent ADNEX model, developed by IOTA's group, opens up some interesting possibilities in this scenario. Management can be conservative, surgical and chemotherapeutic depending on the size, malignancy risk and gestational age.
 In this study we reviewed the epidemiology of adnexal masses during pregnancy and their potential complications, the available diagnostic procedures and the possible management options.