Ovarian vessel dilatation with ovarian mass on MR images: influence of pelvic venous plexus dilatation.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the value of analyzing visualization of the ovarian vessels in relation to the features of ovarian masses using MR images.


METHODS
74 patients with 91 masses (61 benign lesions and 30 malignant lesions) were evaluated. Ovarian masses were classified using the following features: 1) benignancy, 2) characterization, and 3) maximum diameter. We assessed the relationship between visualization and the diameter of the ipsilateral ovarian vessels and the features of ovarian masses. In addition, we assessed the relationship between visualization and the diameter of ovarian vessels and pelvic venous plexus (PVP) dilatation.


RESULTS
Regardless of tumor laterality, 82% of ovarian vessels were visualized (121/148 vessels) on MR images. There was a significant relationship between the average diameter of ovarian vessels and dilatation of PVP (p<0.001). In patients without dilatation, there was a stronger relationship between ovarian vessel average diameter and benignancy (p=0.007), and the character of ovarian mass (solid versus cystic; p<0.05, mixed versus cystic; p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
We confirmed a strong relationship between the diameter of ovarian vessels and dilatation of PVP. If ovarian vessels are dilated in patients without dilatation of PVP, we could suggest the possibility of malignant ovarian tumor.
Matsumoto
Shoichi
S
Department of Radiology, Konan Hospital, Japan.
Kaji
Yasushi
Y
Manabe
Tomoko
T
Kitamura
Yuri
Y
Hirata
Yuzo
Y
Sugimura
Kazuro
K
D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology*