J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2000 Dec;19(4):283-289.

Transvaginal Sonographic Appearance of Cystic Adnexal Masses in Postmenopausal Women

• Cho HC
• Lee MS

Abstract

PURPOSE
To Analyze the transvaginal ultrasonographic(TVUS)findings of the cystic adnexal masses in post-menopausal women for differentiation of benign and malignant masses.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the TVUS images of surgically proven 142 cystic adnexal masses in 125 patients. The masses were classified according to the pathologic findings. The size, the internal echogenicity, the internal septation, the external wall of the masses on US were analyzed and scored using Multicenter scoring system. Serum CA-125 concentration was also recorded.
RESULTS
At surgery of 142 masses, 125 benign(88%), and 17 borderline/malignant masses(12%) were found. Among 125 benign masses, 88 masses were larger than 5cm, 125 had smooth external wall, 109 had absence or thin internal septation, and 107 had anechoic or homogenous low internal echogenicity. Of the 17 borderline/malignant masses, there were 17 masses larger than 5cm, 2 with smooth external wall, 12 without or with thin internal septation, and 7 with anechoic or homogenous low internal echogenicity. Multicenter score was below 8 in all benign masses, and in 4 borderline/malignant masses. Serum CA-125 concentration with normal range was in 90 patients with benign masses, and in 2 patients with borderline/malignant masses.
CONCLUSION
Cystic adnexal masses with smooth external wall and internal septation, internal echogenic portion less than 10%, score below 8 on TVUS would be diagnosed as benign masses in postmenopausal women with normal serum CA-125 concentration.

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Reference Values
Retrospective Studies
Ultrasonography*