Spontaneously Ruptured Dermoid Cysts and Their Potential Complications: A Review of the Literature with a Case Report

Table 1

Age, cause of rupture, and primary presenting symptoms presenting in ruptured dermoid cases. Ages of patients are classified into age groups of prepuberty, reproductive age, and postmenopausal as per the average age of menarche and menopause in Australia [13]. Increased intra-abdominal pressure from all stages of pregnancy from uterine expansion to labour and delivery is known to cause pressure on surrounding visceral organs and nearby structures, leading to rupture. Additionally, the postpartum period or posttermination of pregnancy is associated with uterine involution which can disrupt the cyst wall leading to rupture [14].

Age groups	Number of cases and percentages
Prepuberty (0-13 years old)	2/88 (2%)
Reproductive age (14-50 years old)	68/88 (77%)
Postmenopausal age (51 years old and older)	19/88 (22%)
Causes of rupture	Cases and percentages
Idiopathic	32/88 (49%)
Pregnancy, intrapartum, or postpartum	23/88 (26%)
	1^st trimester 1/23 (4%)
	2^nd trimester 4/23 (17%)
	3^rd trimester 10/23 (43%)
	Intrapartum (including those in 3^rd trimester) 7/23 (30%)
	Postpartum 7/23 (30%)
Torsion	6/88 (7%)
Malignant transformation (as per histopathology)	6/88 (7%)
Motor vehicle accidents (MVA)	5/88 (6%)
Infection	5/88 (6%)
Posttermination of pregnancy	4/88 (5%); (range 1^st trimester to 19/40)
Fall	2/88 (2%)
Vigorous exercise	1/88 (1%)
Symptoms	Cases and percentages
Abdominal pain	65/88 (75%)
Fever	32/88 (36%)
Abdominal distension	31/88 (35%)
Nausea, vomiting	25/88 (28%)
Change in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea)	16/88 (18%)
Palpable abdominal/pelvic mass	10/88 (11%)
Acute abdomen—severe abdominal pain with rigidity	9/88 (10%)
Weight loss	7/88 (8%)
Shortness of breath	4/88 (5%)
Changes to menstrual cycle—e.g., irregular menses	2/88 (2%)
Loss of appetite	2/88 (2%)
Weight gain	1/88 (1%)
Rectal pain	1/88 (1%)