IMAGING OF FALLOPIAN-TUBE TUMORS

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this study were to investigate the imaging findings in patients with primary fallopian tube neoplasms and to dete rmine whether specific imaging features favor the preoperative diagnos is of fallopian tube tumors (FTT). MATERIALS AND METHODS, Computerized search of medical records from 1984 to 1994 identified 20 patients wi th a discharge diagnosis of primary fallopian tube carcinoma. Medical records, imaging studies, and pathology findings were reviewed. Eleven patients had available preoperative imaging. RESULTS. Seventeen of 20 patients with primary FTT had unilateral disease. Of these 17, preope rative imaging was available in nine, showing four solid adnexal masse s, four complex cystic adnexal masses, and one normal adnexa. The preo perative imaging of these nine patients included six sonographic and f ive CT studies. Three patients with primary FTT had bilateral tumors, and preoperative imaging was available for two patients: Two sonograph ic studies and one CT study showed one complex cystic adnexal mass and three normal adnexa. CONCLUSION. Primary FTT commonly presents as an adnexal mass on preoperative imaging and mimics other pelvic malignanc ies, especially ovarian carcinoma. Making a specific preoperative diag nosis is difficult; however, because primary FTT is unlikely to be con fused with a benign process, delay in diagnosis is rare.