MRI features of ovarian cystic lesions

The purpose of this article is to present the clinical and imaging features for the spectrum of ovarian cystic lesions, from benign to malignant and from tumorous to nontumorous. We review the imaging modalities for evaluating ovarian cystic lesions, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. We present clinical and imaging features that can be used to help with the differential diagnosis of the spectrum of ovarian cystic lesions. We discuss the relevance of imaging features for distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian cystic lesions. The characteristic clinical and imaging features of ovarian cystic lesions can provide criteria for making a diagnosis or substantially narrowing the differential diagnosis. Therefore, a careful assessment of ovarian cystic lesions is warranted. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:503–515 . © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc .     

Multimodality imaging of ovarian cystic lesions: Review with an imaging based algorithmic approach

Ovarian cystic masses include a spectrum of benign, borderline and high grade malignant neoplasms. Imaging plays a crucial role in characterization and pretreatment planning of incidentally detected or suspected adnexal masses, as diagnosis of ovarian malignancy at an early stage is correlated with a better prognosis. Knowledge of differential diagnosis, imaging features, management trends and an algorithmic approach of such lesions is important for optimal clinical management. This article illustrates a multi-modality approach in the diagnosis of a spectrum of ovarian cystic masses and also proposes an algorithmic approach for the diagnosis of these lesions.     

The role of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound in patients with adnexal masses

AIMS: To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in characterizing adnexal masses, and to determine which patients may benefit from MRI. METHODS: We prospectively studied 72 women (mean age 53 years, range 19 to 86 years) with clinically suspected adnexal masses. A single experienced sonographer performed transabdominal and transvaginal greyscale spectral and colour Doppler examinations. MRI was carried out on a 1.5T system using T1, T2 and fat-suppressed T1-weighted sequences before and after intravenous injection of gadolinium. The adnexal masses were categorized as benign or malignant without knowledge of clinical details, according to the imaging features which were compared with the surgical and pathological findings. RESULTS: For characterizing lesions as malignant, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI were 96.6%, 83.7% and 88.9%, respectively, and of US were 100%, 39.5% and 63.9%, respectively. MRI was more specific (p<0.05) than US. Both MRI and US correctly diagnosed 17 (24%) cases with benign and 28 (39%) cases with malignant masses. MRI correctly diagnosed 19 (26%) cases with benign lesion(s), which on US were thought to be malignant. The age, menopausal status and CA-125 levels in these women made benign disease likely, but US features were suggestive of malignancy (large masses and solid-cystic lesions with nodules). CONCLUSION: MRI is more specific and accurate than US and Doppler assessment for characterizing adnexal masses. Women who clinically have a relatively low risk of malignancy but who have complex sonographic features may benefit from MRI.     

Pitfalls in diagnosing female genital tract: ovarian disease

Because the ovaries are composed of surface epithelial cells, germ cells, sex-cord stromal cells and stroma, tumors of various histopathologies arise from this organ. In addition, a number of non-tumorous diseases form adnexal masses such as endometriosis and tubo-ovarian abscess. Furthermore, tumors arising from other pelvic organs are sometimes mis-diagnosed as ovarian tumors. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the histological type of an adnexal mass prior to surgery even though the MR characteristics of various ovarian tumors have been reported. Because of the large number of patients, there are two 'common sense' considerations in diagnosing female intrapelvic masses in daily practice: 1) solid adnexal masses are malignant ovarian tumors, 2) predominantly cystic intrapelvic masses originate from the ovaries. However, certain tumors do not conform to common sense. For example, fibrothecomas and benign teratomas are exceptions to 1), and subserosal pedunculated leiomyomas and cystic adenomyosis are exceptions to 2). The MR characteristics, pitfalls to diagnosis, and clues to correct imaging diagnosis are discussed in this review.     

F18-FDG coincidence-PET in patients with suspected gynecological malignancy

Purpose: To assess the role of F18-FDG imaging with a dual-head coincidence mode gamma camera (Co-PET) in identifying malignant tumors in patients with a suspicious adnexal mass depicted by conventional imaging methods.

Material and Methods: F18-FDG Co-PET was performed preoperatively in 18 women (mean age 56.38 years) with suspected malignant gynecologic tumors according to clinical and abdomino-pelvic/transvaginal ultrasound or computed tomography findings. Exploratory laparotomy was performed in all patients within the 10 days post-F18-FDG Co-PET study, and the definitive diagnosis of the adnexal masses was established by histopathological examination.

Results: Histopathological examinations of the surgically excised adnexal masses revealed eight malignant, one borderline, and nine benign neoplastic tumors. Four benign tumors had no F18-FDG uptake, while the remaining five tumors, all leiomyomas, showed mild FDG accumulation. Eight malignant tumors showed intense F18-FDG uptake. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of F18-FDG co-PET in differentiating benign from malign adnexal masses were 88%, 44%, 61%, and 80%, respectively. Tumor to background ratios (T/B) in benign lesions (2.04 ± 0.27) were significantly lower than in malignant lesions (7.4 ± 0.99).

Conclusion: F18-FDG Co-PET is of clinical value when assessing suspicious malignant adnexal masses. False-negative F18-FDG results might arise from borderline disease. Moderate F18-FDG uptake in leiomyomas can result false-positive, but T/B ratios may be helpful in such cases.     

扩散峰度成像与DWI在卵巢实性病灶良恶性鉴别诊断中的应用

目的:探讨扩散峰度成像(DKI)与DWI在卵巢实性病灶良恶性鉴别诊断中的应用价值.方法:回顾性分析87例卵巢实性病灶的临床及影像资料,患者均行卵巢MRI常规平扫、DWI、DKI检查,分别获取ADC值、平均扩散峰度(MK)和平均扩散率(MD),评估DWI、DKI对卵巢良恶性病变的鉴别诊断价值.结果:与卵巢恶性病变相比,卵...     

Can diffusion weighted imaging distinguish between benign and malignant solid or predominantly solid gynecological adnexal masses?

Objective

To determine the benefit of DWI in diagnosis of benign and malignant solid or predominantly solid gynecological adnexal or ovarian masses.

Material and Methods

This study is carried out on 23 patients with histologically proven solid or predominantly solid adnexal or ovarian masses out of which 5 cases (21.8%) have benign and 18 cases (78.2%) have malignant neoplasms. Among these 19 cases (82.6%) have unilateral disease and 4 cases (17.4%) have bilateral disease which was metastatic ovarian carcinoma.

Result

On DWI, high signal intensity is noted in malignant lesion more frequently than in benign lesion. (P < 0.001) in adnexal lesions, while in ovarian lesions (P = 0.001).The differentiation between benign and malignant adnexal lesions revealed no significant difference in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value (P = 0.22).

Conclusion

DWI is a helpful tool in differentiation between predominantly solid and solid benign and malignant adnexal lesions because there is an increased frequency of higher signal intensity (diffusion restriction) in malignant lesions.     

Benign focal liver lesions: discrimination from malignant mimickers

Focal lesions of the liver often have various imaging characteristics which may be interpreted as either benign or malignant. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology of these liver lesions may lead to characteristic imaging manifestations, which direct the radiologist to the diagnosis. Benign lesions include congenital hepatic cyst, autosomal dominant polycystic disease, hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), hepatic adenoma, inflammatory pseudotumor, peliosis hepatis, focal fatty infiltration, hamartoma, and infectious processes such as hepatic abscess, echinococcal cyst, and candidiasis. Characteristic imaging features, clinical symptoms, and treatment/prognosis will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on key reliable features of each disease to develop a method of discriminating these lesions from other benign and malignant disorders.     

经阴道增强超声造影鉴别诊断附件区良、恶 性包块的临床价值

目的:探讨超声造影对附件良、恶性包块鉴别诊断的价值.材料和方法:观察分析69例附件区良、恶性包块的超声造影表现及灌注特点.结果:恶性肿瘤26例均有增强显示,其灌注模式主要为快速整体、非均质或树枝状高增强(24/26).良性肿块39例,其中囊性病灶24例,囊壁增强模式均为环状、半环状增强(5例囊腔内分隔或乳头突起呈轻度增强);实性包块15例,均有增强显示,10例卵巢肿瘤中8例表现为内部点状低增强,5例宫旁浆膜下肌瘤呈先环状增强,后逐渐向内部充填,或呈周边轻度点状增强.良、恶性两组间增强模式存在显著性差异(P<0.0001).4例卵巢交界性肿瘤呈渐进性或较快速非均质增强.结论:超声造影对鉴别诊断附件区良、恶性包块有较高的价值.     

Characterization of adnexal mass lesions on MR imaging

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of MR imaging in the detection and characterization of adnexal mass lesions and to determine which imaging features are predictive of malignancy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively performed MR imaging in 104 patients (age range, 19-87 years; mean age, 50 years) with clinically or sonographically detected complex adnexal masses. We used a 1.5-T unit to perform T1-, T2-, and fat-suppressed T1-weighted sequences before and after IV injection of gadolinium. The adnexal lesions were examined for several features including size, shape, character (solid-cystic), vegetation, signal intensity, and enhancement. Secondary signs such as ascites, peritoneal disease, and lymphadenopathy were noted. We compared the imaging features with the surgical and pathologic findings. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed on all MR imaging features. RESULTS: A total of 163 lesions--94 benign and 69 malignant lesions--were examined. On MR imaging, 95% (155/163) of the lesions were detected. The overall accuracy for the diagnosis of malignancy was 91%. On univariate analysis, the imaging features associated with malignancy were a solid-cystic lesion, irregularity, and vegetation on the wall and septum in a cystic lesion, the large size of the lesion, an early enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced MR images, and the presence of ascites, peritoneal disease, or adenopathy. On multiple logistic regression analysis, ascites and vegetation in a cystic lesion were the factors most significantly indicative of malignancy. CONCLUSION: MR imaging is highly accurate in the characterization of adnexal mass lesions, and the best predictors of malignancy are vegetation in a cystic lesion and ascites.     

Ovary: MRI characterisation and O-RADS MRI

Ultrasound has a high specificity for the diagnosis of a benign lesion in cases of classic appearing simple cyst, hemorrhagic cyst, endometrioma and dermoid. However, ultrasound can sometimes be limited for definitive characterisation and risk stratification of other types of lesions, including those with echogenic content that may appear solid, with or without blood flow. Frequently, MRI can be used to further characterise these types of lesions, due to its ability to distinguish solid tissue from non-tissue solid components such as fat, blood, or debris. Incorporating the MR imaging into the evaluation of adnexal lesions can improve diagnostic certainty and guide clinical management potentially avoiding inappropriate surgery for benign lesions and expediting appropriate treatment for malignant lesions, particularly in the females with sonographically indeterminate adnexal lesions.     

Spectrum of papillary lesions of the breast: clinical, imaging, and pathologic correlation

OBJECTIVE: Papillary lesions of the breast are a heterogeneous group of lesions that are difficult to diagnose as benign or malignant. The purpose of this article is to review clinical presentation, imaging features, and pathologic correlation of papillary lesions of the breast and to discuss the prognosis and management of these lesions. CONCLUSION: Recognition of the variety of benign and malignant papillary lesions of the breast will facilitate diagnosis and proper management.     

基于MR早期动态增强的影像组学标签鉴别乳腺良恶性病变的价值

目的:探讨基于MR早期动态增强的影像组学标签鉴别乳腺良恶性病变的价值.方法:回顾性搜集通过乳腺动态对比增强MRI(DCE-MRI)检查,发现乳腺结节或肿块的144例患者(146个病变),146个病变按照样本量7:3随机抽样选取良性病变与恶性病变(102个作为训练组,44个作为验证组).所有病例基于病变的三维图像对影像组...     

Adnexal masses in women with breast cancer: US findings with clinical and histopathologic correlation

PURPOSE: To correlate ultrasonographic (US), clinical, and histopathologic findings in patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery for adnexal masses evident at US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database search yielded 54 patients with breast cancer and with adnexal masses at US and histopathologic examinations. Clinical, US, and histopathologic findings were correlated. RESULTS: Forty (74%) patients had benign adnexal masses, and 14 (26%) had malignant masses; three patients had both benign and malignant ovarian masses. Seven patients had primary ovarian cancer, and seven had breast metastases to the ovary. All breast metastases to the ovary were bilateral solid masses at histopathologic examination and occurred in women with stage IV breast carcinoma at the time of US. Eleven ovaries with breast metastases were solid at US. The remaining three ovaries with breast metastases had cystic components at US because of hemorrhage or coexistent benign ovarian cysts. Four of seven patients with primary ovarian carcinoma had bilateral ovarian tumors, and seven of 11 ovarian carcinomas were predominantly cystic at US. No patient with primary ovarian carcinoma had stage IV breast cancer. CONCLUSION: In this small series, half the ovarian malignancies in patients with breast cancer were primary ovarian carcinomas and half were breast metastases to the ovary. Breast metastases to the ovary most frequently are bilateral solid masses at US and are associated with stage IV disease at the time of US.     

Imaging of pediatric ovarian masses

Ultrasonography is generally the initial diagnostic study of choice for evaluating suspected or known genital masses in young girls and adolescents. The authors reviewed the sonographic anatomy of the normal ovary and the sonographic spectrum in 88 pediatric patients with a variety of ovarian masses: simple and hemorrhagic cyst, teratoma, malignant tumor, tuboovarian abscess, torsion, and ectopic pregnancy. Among the various sonographic patterns observed, those of cystic ovarian masses and complex masses with mural nodules were the most specific, representing simple cysts and benign teratomas, respectively. Sonographic features of the remaining conditions were often similar, and diagnosis required correlation with clinical data and computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging findings.     

输卵管卵巢脓肿与卵巢良性肿瘤的CT鉴别诊断

目的:分析输卵管卵巢脓肿的CT特征,探讨CT对输卵管卵巢脓肿与卵巢附件良性肿瘤的鉴别诊断价值。材料和方法:回顾性分析13例输卵管卵巢脓肿和11例卵巢良性肿瘤的CT表现。结果:绝经前患者输卵管卵巢脓肿12例(12/13例),良性肿瘤组4例(4/11例)。脓肿13例(13/13例)、良性肿瘤9例(9/11例),CT表现为附件区囊实性肿块,脓肿和良性肿瘤边缘轮廓模糊不清分别为11例(11/13例)和4例(4/11例),两组显示囊壁增厚和边缘层状增强分别为10例(10/13例)和2例(2/11例)。脓肿的子宫骶骨韧带增厚和骶前直肠周围脂肪模糊分别为10/13例和9/11例,而良性肿瘤组无1例发生。结论:附件脓肿壁增厚和层状增强,子宫骶骨韧带增厚及骶前直肠周围脂肪模糊有助于鉴别输卵管卵巢脓肿和卵巢良性肿瘤。     

Characterization of malignancy of adnexal lesions using ADC entropy: Comparison with mean ADC and qualitative DWI assessment

Purpose:

To establish the utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) entropy in discrimination of benign and malignant adnexal lesions, using histopathology as the reference standard, via comparison of the diagnostic performance of ADC entropy with mean ADC and with visual assessments of adnexal lesions on conventional and diffusion‐weighted sequences.

Materials and Methods:

In all, 37 adult female patients with an ovarian mass that was resected between June 2006 and January 2011 were included. Volume‐of‐interest was drawn to incorporate all lesion voxels on every slice that included the mass on the ADC map, from which whole‐lesion mean ADC and ADC entropy were calculated. Two independent radiologists also rated each lesion as benign or malignant based on visual assessment of all sequences. The Mann–Whitney test and logistic regression for correlated data were used to compare performance of mean ADC, ADC entropy, and the visual assessments.

Results:

No statistically significant difference was observed in mean ADC between benign and malignant adnexal lesions (P = 0.768). ADC entropy was significantly higher in malignant than in benign lesions (P = 0.009). Accuracy was significantly greater for ADC entropy than for mean ADC (0.018). ADC entropy and visual assessment by the less‐experienced reader showed similar accuracy (P ≥ 0.204). The more experienced reader's accuracy was significantly greater than that of all other assessments (P ≤ 0.039).

Conclusion:

ADC entropy showed significantly greater accuracy than the more traditional metric of mean ADC for distinguishing benign and malignant adnexal lesions. Although whole‐lesion ADC entropy provides a straightforward and objective measurement, its potential benefit decreases with greater reader experience. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:164–171. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

In-vivo Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Adnexal Lesions

Objective

To explore the in-vivo ¹H- MR spectral features of adnexal lesions and to characterize the spectral patterns of various pathologic entities.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-one patients with surgically and histopathologically confirmed adnexal lesions underwent short echo-time STEAM (stimulated echo acquisition method) ¹H- MR spectroscopy, and the results obtained were analysed.

Results

The methylene present in fatty acid chains gave rise to a lipid peak of 1.3 ppm in the ¹H- MR spectra of most malignant tumors and benign teratomas. This same peak was not observed, however, in the spectra of benign ovarian epithelial tumors: in a number of these, a peak of 5.2 ppm, due to the presence of the olefine group (-CH=CH-) was noted. The ratios of lipid peak at 1.3 ppm to water peak (lipid/water ratios) varied between disease groups, and in some benign teratomas was characteristically high.

Conclusion

An intense lipid peak at 1.3 ppm is observed in malignant ovarian tumors but not in benign epithelial tumors. ¹H- MRS may therefore be helpful in the differential diagnosis of adnexal lesions.     

Imaging of transposed ovaries in patients with cervical carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Lateral ovarian transposition is a surgical procedure performed in premenopausal women with pelvic malignancies in which the ovaries are surgically displaced from the pelvis, before radiation therapy. In this article, we present the imaging features of normal transposed ovaries as well as the spectrum of abnormalities associated with lateral ovarian transposition. CONCLUSION: After lateral ovarian transposition, it is important to recognize the ovaries to avoid confusing them with peritoneal implants. In addition, benign ovarian lesions must be distinguished from primary and secondary malignancies.