Tip of the iceberg sign (ovarian dermoid cyst)

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 17 Jan 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Stanislavsky A, Bell D, Elfeky M, et al. Tip of the iceberg sign (ovarian dermoid cyst). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-19027

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-19027

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/19027

rID:

19027

Article created:

2 Aug 2012, Alexandra Stanislavsky ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Alexandra Stanislavsky had no recorded disclosures.

View Alexandra Stanislavsky's current disclosures

Last revised:

17 Jan 2022, Daniel J Bell ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.

View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures

Revisions:

11 times, by 11 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Gynaecology

Sections:

Signs

Tags:

cases, refs

Synonyms:

Iceberg tip sign
Tip of the iceberg sign

Tip of the iceberg sign refers to one of the characteristic appearances of an ovarian dermoid cyst. If there are echogenic cyst contents of sebum and hair, they cause marked posterior acoustic attenuation so that only the superficial part of the cyst is seen. Just like an iceberg, you may only be able to see a small piece of the structure, with a much larger piece deeper ².

The intense acoustic shadowing in an ovarian dermoid may also be caused by calcifications (such as teeth) or by fat in a Rokitansky nodule if present.