title: Power Doppler in the assessment of pelvic masses in a low risk group.
abstract: Discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses aids in optimising the management of women with pelvic tumours. A grading system incorporating grey-scale and power Doppler measurements might increase the accuracy of pre-operative assessment. The present study aimed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of a grading system including grey-scale and power Doppler findings. A total of 179 women who had undergone power Doppler Ultrasound for a pelvic mass between April 2001 and March 2003 were identified. Masses were surveyed by grey-scale and power Doppler and graded in relation to the estimated risk of malignancy. Clinicians were provided with the findings. The results were compared with the findings at surgery. A total of 74.3% were premenopausal. Some 94.4% (n = 169) had benign; 1.7% borderline and 3.9% malignant histology. A total of 69% underwent surgery. Specificity was 72.2 - 95.9%; sensitivity 55.6 - 88.9% and negative predictive value 97.6 - 99.2%. Power Doppler as an additional diagnostic aid may help the clinician in the management of pelvic masses. Further research is needed to clarify sensitivity and specificity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cardiff University Wales College of Medicine, UK. rieckgc1@cf.ac.uk
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Rieck
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Pugh
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Fiander
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler