Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2000 Feb;43(2):275-280.

Role of Doppler flow imaging in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer

• Kim SM
• Choe J
• Chung SI
• Choi HS
• Byun JS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim was to assess the value of resistance index(RI) and pulsatility index(PI) to differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian tumors by color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound.
METHODS
129 ovarian tumors identified with ultrasound were referred for color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound evaluation to calculate the lowest RI and PI, and the corresponding histopathologic diagnosis was recorded.
RESULTS
The intratumor artery waveforms were obtained in 37.1%(36 of 97) of benign tumors and in 91.0%(29 of 32) of the malignant group. RI and PI were lower in malignant tumors than in benign tumors(p<0.01). Also, there was a significant incremental decrease in both indices value from the benign tumor toward borderline malignancy(p<0.05) and to invasive ovarian cancer(p<0.01). But, there was no significant difference in both indices value according to the FIGO stage of ovarian malignancy. For RI cut-off value of 0.6, sensitivity and specificity were 89.7% and 91.7%; for PI cut-off value of 1.1, 86.2% and 91.7%. Therefore, the most accurate cut-off values of RI and PI were 0.6 and 1.1, respectively.
CONCLUSION
RI and PI calculated by color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound can help in the diagnosis and selection of treatment plan of ovarian tumors, especially when the morphological finding of ovarian tumor is equivocal. And during the follow up of benign tumors, both indicies can give us the clue of malignant potential of benign tumors.

Keyword

Ovarian tumor; color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound; Resistance index(RI); Pulsatility index(PI); PI

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Diagnosis*
Follow-Up Studies
Ovarian Neoplasms*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Ultrasonography