title: Transvaginal ultrasound, color flow, and Doppler waveform of the postmenopausal adnexal mass.
abstract: One thousand postmenopausal women were examined prospectively with transvaginal ultrasound. Seven hundred forty-three (74%) were asymptomatic and presented for screening. Data were analyzed to determine the accuracy of this new modality. Eighty-three women had surgery, and 29 malignant neoplasms were found. Color flow was identified in 27 of 29 malignant tumors and 35% of benign masses. A cutoff value of 0.41 for the Doppler resistance index in the feeder vessels had the best discriminatory value; sensitivity and specificity were 96 and 95%, respectively, for separating benign from malignant neoplasms. Positive and negative predictive values were 96 and 95%, respectively. Morphology alone had poor sensitivity, but when combined with Doppler indices, the sensitivity improved to 90% and the positive and negative predictive values were 90 and 96%, respectively. The results of this study suggest that in the postmenopausal ovary, transvaginal B-mode imaging, color flow, and Doppler indices satisfy criteria as tests that may be sensitive and specific enough for application in a screening program.
authors.affiliation: Ultrasonic Institute, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kurjak
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schulman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sosic
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zalud
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shalan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D014621:Vagina