US of the ovary and adnexa: to worry or not to worry?

Ultrasonography (US) is typically the first study to be requested in patients with clinical findings that may suggest pelvic disease. The evaluation of adnexal masses is a common component of the sonologist's workload, and US has been shown to be accurate for both detecting and characterizing these masses, most of which are either insignificant or benign and therefore require little or no follow-up. Recognition of the most common benign ovarian and extraovarian adnexal masses should help avoid additional or unnecessary imaging. US features that suggest malignancy include thick septations, vascularized solid components, or areas of focal wall thickening, and identifying these features will result in timely management. Indeterminate-appearing masses demonstrate atypical features and cannot easily be classified as definitely either benign or malignant. Proper reporting and management recommendations serve to alleviate both patient anxiety and physician misinterpretation. Knowledge of these recommendations and of the characteristic US features of benign, malignant, and indeterminate adnexal masses can serve as important guidelines for patient management.

Lithium nephropathy: unique sonographic findings.

This case series describes a unique sonographic appearance consisting of numerous microcysts and punctate echogenic foci seen on renal sonograms of 10 adult patients receiving chronic lithium therapy. Clinically, chronic renal insufficiency was present in 6 and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in 2. Sonography showed numerous microcysts and punctate echogenic foci. Computed tomography in 5 patients confirmed microcysts and microcalcifications, which were fewer in number than on sonography. Magnetic resonance imaging in 2 patients confirmed microcysts in each case. Renal biopsy in 1 patient showed chronic interstitial nephritis, microcysts, and tubular dilatation. The diagnosis of lithium nephropathy should be considered when sonography shows these findings.

Adnexal masses: US characterization and reporting.

Pelvic ultrasonography (US) remains the imaging modality most frequently used to detect and characterize adnexal masses. Although evaluation is often aimed at distinguishing benign from malignant masses, the majority of adnexal masses are benign. About 90% of adnexal masses can be adequately characterized with US alone. In this article, the important US features that should allow one to make a reasonably confident diagnosis in most cases will be discussed. The role of follow-up US and alternative imaging modalities, along with the importance of careful reporting of adnexal masses, will also be reviewed.