title: A morphology index based on sonographic findings in ovarian cancer.
abstract: A morphology index based on morphologic characteristics of ovarian tumors was developed. Specific categories included tumor volume, wall structure, and septal structure. A point scale (0-4) was developed within each category with the total points per evaluation varying from 0-12. Sonograms on 121 patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy for ovarian masses were evaluated using this index. Eighty ovarian tumors had a morphology index score < 5, and all were benign (negative predictive value, 1.000). In postmenopausal patients, a morphology index score > or = 5 had a positive predictive value for malignancy of 0.45. All ovarian malignancies had significant abnormalities in wall structure and all had a total volume in excess of 10 cm3. The findings of the present investigation indicate that the morphology index is a cost effective adjuvant method which significantly increases the specificity and positive predictive value of transvaginal sonography. The routine application of a morphology index to screening sonography should decrease the amount of diagnostic surgery performed in order to detect each case of ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: DePriest
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shenson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Gallion
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Pavlik
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kryscio
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: van Nagell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014463:Ultrasonography