Ultrasound evaluation of pelvic masses: predictors of malignancy for the general gynecologist.
Recent data indicate that assessment of sonographically determined tumor volume and morphology is the most accurate means to differentiate benign from malignant ovarian tumors. Doppler flow studies generally have shown a lower impedance to flow in vessels supplying ovarian malignancies than in those associated with benign tumors. However, the overlap in pulsatility index and resistive index values of benign and malignant ovarian tumors, and the cost of this procedure, make its routine use impractical. In a postmenopausal woman with a sonographically confirmed ovarian tumor, a progressively rising serum Ca-125 is highly suspicious for malignancy.
van Nagell
J R
JR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536, USA.
Ueland
F R
FR
D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler