Chocolate cysts from ovarian follicles

Objective: To study the development of chocolate cysts by serial transvaginal ultrasonographic tracking of ovarian follicles. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, United Kingdom. Patient(s): We reviewed case notes of all patients who underwent laparoscopy for diathermy to endometriosis/ovarian diathermy/aspiration of ovarian cysts from 1989 to 1998. Twelve women with histories of infertility and proven chocolate cysts with documented ultrasonographic findings were included in the study. Intervention(s): Serial ultrasonographic tracking of ovarian follicles in the cycle leading to the development of the chocolate cysts, followed by ultrasonographic tracking of cysts for 3 months and laparoscopy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Development and formation of chocolate cysts. Result(s): The diagnosis of chocolate cysts was confirmed laparoscopically in all patients and histopathologically in four. Ultrasound confirmed that they had all developed from follicles. Conclusion(s): Chocolate cysts can develop from ovarian follicles. (Fertil Steril(R) 1999;72:852-6. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).