TRANSVAGINAL SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF OVARIAN ENDOMETRIOMA

Objective: To assess the efficacy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) in differentiating endometriomas from other adnexal masses. Methods: One thousand thirty-five adnexal masses undergoing laparoscopy or laparoto my were evaluated prospectively using TVS. Masses diagnosed as endomet rioma according to their sonographic appearance were divided into two groups: those with a round shape, regular margins, thick walls and hom ogeneous, low-level echoes (group A); or those with irregular margins, internal septations and an anechoic appearance (group B). Results. Th e sensitivity of TVS in diagnosing endometriomas was 86.50% and the sp ecificity 99.11%. The positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value of the test were calculated to be 91.45% and 98.14%, respectively. By using the criteria determining group A, the PPV of t he test increased to 97%, whereas group B had a lower PPV (70.85%). Co nclusion: We propose that the accuracy of TVS in diagnosing endometrio mas may be beneficial in various clinical conditions.