Nonrenal cystic masses in neonates and children.

With the increasing use of ultrasonography (US) in children, abdominal cystic masses, many of them nonrenal, are being detected more frequently both before and after birth. Between 1986 and 1991, 20 predominantly cystic abdominal or pelvic masses of nonrenal origin were detected by US in patients less than 10 years of age. Ten of the 20 patients were neonates; in 5 of these the masses were detected antenatally. Pathological correlation was obtained for 16 of the patients. Six of the cysts were ovarian; two represented cystic teratoma, two exhibited torsion and hemorrhage, one was a giant simple cyst and one was a simple cyst with herniation. Six of the lesions were duplication cysts; two were found in the antral region, of which one was ulcerated and had perforated. In the remaining group of eight cysts, three were found in newborns; one represented colonic atresia and another was a choledochal cyst. Several of these nonrenal cystic masses were detected incidentally or in patients with nonspecific abdominal pain. US correctly predicted the location of the cyst and the diagnosis in most patients. In many of the patients the masses were complicated by other problems that required diagnosis and treatment.