title: An overview of the development and application of the sonographic scoring system: differentiation of malignant from benign ovarian tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ultrasonography is routinely used for the examination of ovarian tumors regarding preoperative diagnosis and postoperative therapeutic evaluation. However, its sensitivity and specificity in determining benign from malignant tumors should be further improved. In this study, we review the methods of sonographic scoring system for differentiating benign from malignant ovarian tumors, and its development and application.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the Medline, EBSCO and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from inception to April 2015, we also used the Google Scholar search engine to obtain studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ultrasonic scoring system has important clinical value in the preoperative diagnosis of ovarian neoplasm, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy are significantly higher than using conventional ultrasonography by various of ultrasonic techniques, including two-dimensional sonographic imaging, color Doppler imaging, power Doppler ultrasound, real-time three-dimensional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sonographic scoring system can significantly improve the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ultrasonic diagnosis in ovarian tumors, and provides a semi-quantitative method for determining the nature of ovarian masses, guidance of the surgical treatment and evaluation of prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, China.
authors.forename: Z H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, China.
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, China. jwtian2004@163.com.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, China. m13644602487@163.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5847-6592
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Benign; Malignant; Ovarian tumor; Ultrasound scoring