title: Past, present and future ultrasonographic techniques for analyzing ovarian masses.
abstract: Ultrasonography is today the method of choice for distinguishing between benign and malignant adnexal pathologies. Using pattern recognition several types of tumors can be recognized according to their characteristic appearance on gray-scale imaging. Color Doppler imaging should be used only to perform a semiquantitative color score or evaluate the flow location. International Ovarian Tumor Analysis group had standardized definitions characterizing adnexal masses and suggested the use of 'simple rules' in premenopausal women. Recently, the use of 3D vascular indices has been proposed but its potential use in clinical practice is debated. Also computerized aided diagnosis algorithms showed encouraging results to be confirmed in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guerriero
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saba
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alcazar
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Dexeus University, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Angela
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ajossa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perniciano
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sedda
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peddes
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zajicek
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Parodo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giuseppina
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Benedetto
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Melis
mesh_terms: D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*
keywords: 3D ultrasonography; color Doppler; ovarian cancer; ultrasonography