Ultrasonic assessment of the peri- and postmenopausal ovary.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the role of B-mode ultrasound, color and power Doppler examination and three-dimensional ultrasound with and without power Doppler facilities in evaluation of the peri- and postmenopausal ovaries.


METHODS
Review of the literature on ultrasonic assessment of the ovaries in postmenopausal patients.


RESULTS
Ultrasound has assumed an increasing role in the evaluation of the peri- and postmenopausal ovaries. Ovarian lesions are a cause of great concern because of their malignant potential and the limited ability to distinguish accurately between benign and malignant lesions using morphological sonographic criteria alone. Superimposed color Doppler imaging enables the visualization of vascularization and blood flow characteristics of the ovaries and/or ovarian lesions. It becomes possible to detect normal, suspicious and pathologic blood flow characteristics even in small blood vessels. Owing to superb quality of the images, three-dimensional sonography enables precise assessment of the ovarian lesions. Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound permits effective targeting and rendering of ovarian tumor vasculature, thus providing new diagnostic possibilities for early detection of ovarian malignancy and differentiation of benign from malignant ovarian pathology.


CONCLUSIONS
Further technological development will contribute to more objective evaluation of ovarian tumor morphology and vasculature which will give us tremendous support in clinical decision making and planning the management.
Kurjak
Asim
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School University of Zagreb, Sveti Duh Hospital, Sveti Duh 64, Zagreb, Croatia. asim.kurjak@public.srce.hr
Kupesic
Sanja
S
Simunic
V
V
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008593:Menopause; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017698:Postmenopause; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color