This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Alcázar, J. L. Articles by García-Manero, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Alcázar, J. L. Articles by García-Manero, M.

Transvaginal Gray Scale and Color Doppler Sonography in Primary Ovarian Cancer and Metastatic Tumors to the Ovary

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

Address correspondence to Juan Luis Alcázar, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Avenida Pio XII 36, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.

Objective. To compare gray scale and color Doppler features of primary and metastatic ovarian carcinomas. Methods. Clinical, sonographic (gray scale and color Doppler), and histopathologic data of 143 patients with primary (n = 127 adnexal masses) and metastatic (n = 34 adnexal masses) ovarian cancer were reviewed. Morphologic gray scale parameters assessed were bilaterality, tumor volume, echogenicity, and presence of septa, papillary projections, or solid areas. Color Doppler parameters were presence of blood flow, tumor blood flow location (central versus peripheral), subjective impression of blood flow amount (scanty, moderate, or abundant), lowest resistive index, lowest pulsatility index, and maximal peak systolic velocity (centimeters per second). Results. No statistical differences were found in bilaterality, tumor volume, presence of septa, papillary projections or solid areas, presence of blood flow, tumor blood flow location, subjective impression of blood flow amount, lowest resistive index, lowest pulsatility index, and maximal peak systolic velocity. Metastatic carcinomas were more frequently purely solid tumors (47% versus 26%; P = .001; likelihood ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–4.7). Conclusions. The presence of a purely solid tumor indicates a higher probability of metastatic carcinoma than primary ovarian cancer. However, with the use of gray scale and color Doppler sonography, it is difficult to differentiate primary ovarian carcinomas from metastatic tumors to the ovary.

Key Words: color Doppler sonography • metastatic cancer • ovarian cancer • sonography.

Abbreviations: PSV, peak systolic velocity • RI, resistive index

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C.-Y. Chen, Y.-C. Wu, M.-S. Yen, J.-H. Hung, C.-C. Yuan, and K.-C. Chao The Power Doppler Velocity Index, Pulsatility Index, and Resistive Index Can Assist in Making a Differential Diagnosis of Primary Ovarian Carcinoma and Krukenberg Tumors: A Preliminary Study J. Ultrasound Med., July 1, 2007; 26(7): 921 - 926. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]