title: Ovarioscopy, a technique to determine the nature of cystic ovarian tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the value of ovarioscopy as an additional step in the diagnostic work-up of probably benign cystic ovarian tumors before laparoscopic intervention, and to compare its diagnostic accuracy with that of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) and tumor markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).
  
  
  METHODS
  Gynecologic endoscopy unit at a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight women with unilateral or bilateral ovarian cystic swellings without clinical, sonographic, or laparoscopic suspicion of malignancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preoperatively, TVUS and tumor markers were estimated. Intraoperative endocystic ovarioscopic visualization ovarioscopy and ovarioscopy-guided biopsy were done before laparoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ovarioscopy had the highest specificity for detecting benign ovarian cysts (98%) compared with (72.6%) and (72%) for tumor markers and TVUS, respectively. Its positive predictive value was 50% compared with 5% and 6% for tumor markers and TVUS, respectively. Its findings agreed with the histopathologic diagnosis in 39 patients (57%, p = 0.000, k = 0.85).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ovarioscopy is a simple, rapid maneuver that should precede laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. It is superior to tumor markers and TVUS for predicting the benign nature of ovarian cysts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Darwish
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: El-Feky
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor