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 Chiang, G. Articles by Levine, D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Chiang, G. Articles by Levine, D.

Imaging of Adnexal Masses in Pregnancy

Harvard Medical School (G.C.) and Departments of Radiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (D.L.), Boston, Massachusetts USA.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Deborah Levine, MD, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215. E-mail: dlevine{at}caregroup.harvard.edu.

Objective. To illustrate the imaging appearances of a variety of adnexal masses in pregnancy. Methods. Cases of adnexal masses in pregnancy were chosen to illustrate the appearance on ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Results. Adnexal masses in pregnancy have a wide spectrum of imaging characteristics and clinical manifestations. Sonography is important in diagnosing, monitoring, and determining the malignant potential of these masses. Common adnexal lesions seen in pregnancy include simple cysts, hemorrhagic cysts, leiomyomas, and hyperstimulated ovaries in patients who have undergone assisted fertility. Uncommon adnexal lesions specific to pregnancy include hyperreactio luteinalis, theca lutein cysts with moles, and luteomas. Adnexal masses associated with pain include ovarian torsion and heterotopic pregnancy. Adnexal lesions that are found incidentally include teratomas, endometriomas, hydrosalpinx, cystadenomas, and cystadenocarcinomas. When the diagnosis of the adnexal mass cannot be made on the basis of sonographic appearance alone, magnetic resonance imaging may help. Conclusions. Familiarity with the clinicopathologic and sonographic features of common and uncommon adnexal masses in pregnancy is important for diagnosis and treatment.

Key Words: magnetic resonance imaging • neoplasm • ovary • pregnancy • sonography

Abbreviations: hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin • MR, magnetic resonance • T1, longitudinal relaxation time • T2, transverse relaxation time

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. S. Katz, V. Merunka, J. J. Hines, E. M. Meiner, I. Pedrosa, D. Levine, and N. M. Rofsky Invited Commentary * Authors' Response RadioGraphics, May 1, 2007; 27(3): 743 - 753. [Full Text] [PDF]