Sonographic depiction of intratumoral vascularity with 2- and 3-dimensional color Doppler techniques.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe patterns seen on 2- and 3-dimensional color Doppler sonographic depiction of intratumoral vessels and to correlate these patterns to histopathologic findings in an attempt to assess their clinical importance.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 26 patients with ovarian masses and intratumoral abnormalities in whom standard 2- and 3-dimensional color Doppler sonography was performed.


RESULTS
Two- and 3-dimensional color Doppler sonography depicted several patterns of vascularity within ovarian masses. These included masses with vascularity confined to the wall or loculus and those with central versus peripheral vascularity. The presence of central intratumoral vascularity had a high positive predictive value (90%) for malignancy. Conversely, the absence of intratumoral vascularity had a high negative predictive value (96%).


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional color Doppler sonography is helpful in depicting overall vessel density and branching patterns within an intratumoral abnormality. This technique seems to be useful in distinguishing benign from malignant ovarian masses.
Fleischer
Arthur C
AC
Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37232-2675, USA. arthur.fleischer@vanderbilt.edu
Milam
Michael R
MR
Crispens
Marta A
MA
Shappell
Heidi W
HW
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color