Transvaginal sonographic diagnosis of ovarian endometrioma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) in differentiating endometriomas from other adnexal masses.


METHODS
One thousand thirty-five adnexal masses undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy were evaluated prospectively using TVS. Masses diagnosed as endometrioma according to their sonographic appearance were divided into two groups: those with a round shape, regular margins, thick walls and homogeneous, low-level echoes (group A); or those with irregular margins, internal septations and an anechoic appearance (group B).


RESULTS
The sensitivity of TVS in diagnosing endometriomas was 86.50% and the specificity 99.11%. The positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value of the test were calculated to be 91.45% and 98.14%, respectively. By using the criteria determining group A, the PPV of the test increased to 97%, whereas group B had a lower PPV (70.85%).


CONCLUSIONS
We propose that the accuracy of TVS in diagnosing endometriomas may be beneficial in various clinical conditions.
Dogan
M M
MM
Department of Gynecology, Dr Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Ugur
M
M
Soysal
S K
SK
Soysal
M E
ME
Ekici
E
E
Gokmen
O
O
D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography