Hyperreactio luteinalis (enlarged ovaries) during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy: common clinical associations

J Ultrasound Med. 2013 Jul;32(7):1285-9. doi: 10.7863/ultra.32.7.1285.

Abstract

The objective of this series was to assess sonographic and clinical findings in patients with hyperreactio luteinalis (HL; enlarged ovaries). We retrospectively identified 31 patients with HL and collected data including gestational age, maximum ovarian size, and pregnancy outcomes. Hyperreactio luteinalis was detected at a mean gestational age of 21.6 weeks, reaching average maximum ovarian volumes of 417 and 359 mL on the right and left, respectively. After the first trimester, HL appears to be associated with multiple gestations, twin-twin transfusion syndrome, gestational trophoblastic disease, and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. When HL is present, maternal complications such as preeclampsia are common, and preterm delivery often results.

Keywords: enlarged ovaries; hyperreactio luteinalis; ovarian cysts; pregnancy; sonography.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy / complications
  • Hypertrophy / diagnostic imaging
  • Ovary / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ovary / pathology*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*