Transvaginal Contrast-enhanced Sonography in the Differentiation of Benign from Malignant Adnexal Masses

Purpose:The study was designed to investigate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the differentiation of benign and malignant adnexal masses.Materials and Methods:Sixty-nine consecutive patients with adnexal masses received transvaginal contrast-enhanced ultrasound.The image and perfusion features were assessed.Results:All of 26 malignant tumors showed detectable contrast enhancement,including 24 cases with a quick,heterogeneous or branching pattern.Among 39 benign lesions,24 were cystic with circle or half-circle enhancement,including 5 cases with intra-cystic septum or papillae slightly enhanced.The other 15 cases were solid,8 of them had slightly dotted enhancement.There are significant difference in enhancement patterns between benign and malignant masses(P0.0001).The 4 cases of borderline tumors showed progressive,heterogeneous enhancement.Conclusion:Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is of value in the differentiation of benign and malignant adnexal masses.