PARAOVARIAN CYSTADENOMAS AND CYSTADENOFIBROMAS - SONOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS IN 14 CASES

PURPOSE: To describe the sonographic features of paraovarian cystadeno mas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the computerized pathology and radiology databases for cases of histopathologically proved paraovari an cystadenomas from January 1993 through December 1996 in which preop erative sonography had also been performed. Fourteen paraovarian cysta denomas or cystadenofibromas were identified in 14 patients aged 20-57 years. Sonographic and pathologic findings were correlated. RESULTS: Three of the masses appeared as simple cysts sonographically. Of the r emaining 11 masses, nine had solid nodular areas within the cyst; thre e had septations; and four had a thick wall, an irregular wall, or bot h at sonography. At sonography, four masses were thought to arise outs ide the ovary, four were erroneously thought to arise in the ovary, an d the location was uncertain in six. CONCLUSION: Paraovarian cystadeno mas are cystic masses that usually contain one or more small solid nod ules and occasionally contain septations.