Lateral distribution of ovarian dermoid cyst

Study Objective. To determine the distribution of ovarian dermoid cysts in a large series of women. Design. Observational study (Canadian Task Force classification 11-3). Setting. University teaching hospitals. Patients. Three hundred thirty-six women. Intervention. Evaluation of operative reports. Measurements and Main Results. Dermoid cysts had a mean diameter of 5.6 cm. They were present in the right ovary (48.8%) left ovary (37.8%), and bilaterally (13.4%). Unilateral cysts were more frequent in the right ovary (56.4%) than in the left (p 0.002, odds ratio 1.7, confidence interval 1.2-2.3). This was significantly different from the expected 50% (4.45, chi(2)). A similar predisposition was found when we included women with bilateral cysts (p < 0.01, OR 1.5, CI 1.1-1.9). Patient age and size of cyst did not differ between those with left and right lesions. Conclusion. In this large cohort of women, ovarian dermoid cysts had a predisposition to a right lateral location.