Three-dimensional ultrasonographic and power Doppler characterization of ovarian lesions

Objective To determine whether three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) and 3D power Doppler can improve the ability to differentiate benign from malignan t ovarian lesions. Methods Transvaginal ultrasound, transvaginal color Doppler, 3D US and 3D p ower Doppler were performed on 90 patients with ovarian lesions during the week prior to surgery Four independent sonographers were blinded to the res ults of other ultrasound studies. Results Color Doppler studies added to transvaginal gray-scale characteriza tion of ovarian lesions resulted in sensitivity of 88.89% and specificity o f 97.53% in diagnosing ovarian malignancy. Qualitative analysis of tumor va scularity by 3D power Doppler added to morphological features obtained by 3 D US is clinical pertinent and reached sensitivity and specificity of 100 a nd 98.76%, respectively. Conclusion Three-dimensional ultrasound and power Doppler can enhance and f acilitate the morphologic and functional evaluation of both benign and mali gnant ovarian lesions. Introduction of the 3D quantitative technique fur me asurements of blood flow and vascularization may increase clinical relevanc e of these studies.