title: Evaluation of adnexal masses with three-dimensional ultrasonography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate whether three-dimensional ultrasonography and three-dimensional power Doppler investigation can contribute to the differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women scheduled for surgical treatment of an adnexal mass were included in a multicenter prospective study. All women underwent two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonographic examination in the week before surgery. All parameters were compared in women with benign tumors, borderline tumors, and malignant tumors using receiver operating characteristic analysis and likelihood ratios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 181 women; 144 had a benign mass, 26 had a malignancy, and 11 had a borderline tumor. At three-dimensional ultrasonography, the most striking difference was found in the presence of central vessels in an adnexal mass. Central vessels assessed by three-dimensional ultrasonography were present in 15% (21 of 144) of the benign masses, 69% (18 of 26) of the malignant masses, and 27% (3 of 11) of the masses of borderline malignancy. The likelihood ratios for presence of central vessels for a mass being malignant and/or borderline was 4.9 (95% confidence interval 2.1-12). Mean gray index and flow index were also significantly different between the groups, but other features were not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The central localization of vessels in an adnexal mass, as observed by three-dimensional ultrasonography, the mean gray index, and the flow index are potentially important parameters for distinguishing benign from malignant adnexal masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  II-2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, the Netherlands. peggy.geomini@hetnet.nl
authors.forename: Peggy M A J
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Geomini
authors.forename: Kirsten B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Kluivers
authors.forename: Evelien
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moret
authors.forename: Gérard L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Bremer
authors.forename: Roy F P M
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Kruitwagen
authors.forename: Ben Willem J
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Mol
mesh_terms: D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018394:CA-125 Antigen