Diagnostic Value of Transvaginal Color Doppler Ultrasonography in Ovarian Tumors

Purpose: The aims of this study were to explore the value of transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography(TVCDU)in diagnosing ovarian tumors and to analyze the relationship between tumor blood supply and its clinical stages. Materials and Methods: 47ovarian carcinomas, 5 borderline tumors and 18 benign tumors were examined preoperatively with TVCDU. The vascular indices(PSV、EDV、RI), vascularity pattern(VP), diastolic notch(DN)were recorded. Those indices(PSV, EDV, RI, VP and DN) were analyzed in an attempt to differentiate benign and malignant ovarian tumors. The relation between RI and clinical stage of the tumors was also investigated. Results:RI in ovarian carcinomas was lower than that in benign tumors. Using RI ≤0.5 as a diagnostic threshold, the sensitivity and specificity in detecting ovarian carcinomas were 85.1% and 78.3% respectively. RI in stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ were lower than that in stageⅠand Ⅱ. 38/47(81%) malignant ovarian tumors were of hyper-vascularity, significantly different with benign ones(1 /18, 5.6%). Using hyper-vascularity as a standard, the sensitivity and specificity were 80.8% and 86.9% respectively. The diastolic notch was much less encountered in malignant tumors(4/47, 8.5%) than benign (14/18, 77.8%). Conclusion: TVCDU was an effective method for differentiation of malignant from benign ovarian tumors, and for clinical staging and prognosis.