title: The diagnosis of functional ovarian cysts using transvaginal ultrasound combined with clinical parameters, CA125 determinations, and color Doppler.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of transvaginal ultrasound combined with clinical parameters, CA125 determinations, and color Doppler in the differentiation between functional cysts and other adnexal masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and eighty-seven consecutive persistent adnexal masses were submitted to B-mode transvaginal ultrasonography associated with color and power Doppler imaging. Plasma CA125 concentrations were measured before surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the obtained logistic regression equation, the presence of anechoic tumors without echogenic portions or septa and CA125 <25IU/ml was associated with a 75% probability of presence of follicular cysts. The visualization of fine trabecular jelly-like content or of a heterogeneous mass with hypoechoic content, absent or only peripheral arterial flow, and age <40 years was associated with a 56% probability of presence of luteal cysts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Addition of findings to B-mode ultrasonography can help to differentiate functional cysts from other adnexal masses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio, via Ospedale 46, 09124, Cagliari, Italy. gineca.sgrerriero@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guerriero
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ajossa
authors.forename: Maria Paola
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Juan Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alcazar
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Paoletti
authors.forename: Orrù
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Marisa
authors.forename: Gian Benedetto
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Melis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D003338:Corpus Luteum; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006080:Ovarian Follicle; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D014621:Vagina
chemical_list: D018394:CA-125 Antigen