Utilization of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in the preoperative assessment of patients with adnexal masses.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability of ultrasound scan (US) findings in the preoperative assessment of the nature of adnexal masses in females. METHODS: After detailed history, a preoperative US examination was performed in all women. Tumor diameter, localization, the presence of solid, cystic and multilocular components, excrescences, metastasis and free fluid were assessed. Doppler scan was done and pulsatility (PI) and resistance indices (RI) were determined. These data were compared with postoperatively obtained histopathological findings and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 609 women out of which 20.7% had malignant, 73.7% benign, and 5.6% border-line tumors. Patients with malignant tumors were oldest (p<0.001). There were significantly more positive US parameters in malignant than in benign tumors (p<0.001). Also, there were significant differences (p<0.001) between malignant, benign and borderline tumors regarding all examined US and Doppler parameters except tumor multilocularity. RI had sensitivity 75%, specificity 61.2%, positive predictive value (PPV) 42.70% and negative predictive value (NPV) 96.16%. PI had sensitivity 50%, specificity 35.3%, PPV 8.37% and NPV 25.93%. Sensitivity of US characteristics was 94.34%, specificity 30.62%, PPV 22.27% and NPV 96.25%. CONCLUSIONS: US pattern characteristics and Doppler parameters were found to be moderately reliable in discriminating malignant, benign and borderline adnexal tumors. Tumor of solid or mixed consistency, presence of ascites and excrescences were the best predictors of malignancy.

Histopathological diagnoses of adnexal masses: which parameters are relevant in preoperative assessment?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess which clinical, laboratory and ultrasound characteristics of adnexal masses might predict the histopathological nature of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved all women treated at the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Centre of Serbia for adnexal tumors between July 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011. On admission, detailed anamnestic and laboratory data were obtained, expert ultrasound scan performed and RMI was calculated for all patients. Data were related to histopathological findings and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 540 women out of which 85 had malignant (seven diagnoses), 435 benign (seven diagnoses) and 20 borderline tumors. All types of malignant and borderline tumors were more frequent in postmenopausal women (p=0.000). Only papillary adenocarcinoma significantly more often produced early metastases (p=0.000). Ascites is a common finding in Krukenberg tumors, granulose cell tumors and papillary adenocarcinomas. There were significant differences between tumor diagnoses regarding the levels of Ca 125 and CEA, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and risk of malignancy index (RMI) (p<0.05). No significant differences were found within the group of malignant tumor types regarding the levels of all examined tumor markers, ESR as well as RMI (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the light of our results, patient age, menopausal status, blood levels of Ca 125, CEA and ESR, as well as calculated RMI, can predict the nature of adnexal masses. Unfortunately none of the examined parameters can accurately determine the exact histopathological diagnosis of the adnexal tumor.

Risk of malignancy index validity assessment in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with adnexal tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the risk of malignancy index (RMI) in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients with adnexal masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved all women treated for adnexal tumors throughout an 18-month period in the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia (Belgrade, Serbia). On admission, detailed anamnestic and laboratory data were obtained and an expert ultrasound scan was performed. The RMI was calculated for all patients and the obtained data were related to histopathological findings of the tumors. For statistical analysis, we used descriptive and analytical statistics methods and an SPSS computer program. RESULTS: From a total number of 540 women, 85 women had malignant tumors; 20 women, borderline tumors; and 435 women, benign adnexal tumors. The RMI was reliable in 84.6% of all patients; in 77% of premenopausal patients, and in 81.1% of postmenopausal patients. The sensitivity of the RMI in the overall population was 83.81%; the specificity was 77.24%; the positive predictive value (PPV) was 47.06%, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 95.18%. In premenopausal women, the RMI sensitivity was 83.87%; specificity, 80.31%; PPV, 28.89%; and NPV, 98.12%. In postmenopausal women the RMI sensitivity was 83.78%; specificity, 68.18%; PPV, 63.92%; and NPV, 74.71%. CONCLUSION: The RMI was a reliable factor for differentiating benign from malignant adnexal masses in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients.

Current diagnostic approach to patients with adnexal masses: which tools are relevant in routine praxis?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate which anamnestic, laboratory and ultrasound parameters used in routine practice could predict the nature of adnexal mass, thus enabling referral to relevant specialist. METHODS: Study involved the women treated for adnexal tumors throughout a period of 2 years. On admission, detailed anamnestic and laboratory data were obtained, expert ultrasound scan was performed, and power Doppler index (PDI), risk of malignancy index (RMI) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated for all patients. Obtained data were related to histopathological findings, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 689 women (112 malignant, 544 benignant, and 33 borderline tumors). Malignant and borderline tumors were more frequent in postmenopausal women (P=0.000). Women who had benignant tumors had the lowest BMI (P=0.000). There were significant (P<0.05) differences among tumor types regarding erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CA125 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Among ultrasound findings, larger tumor diameter and ascites were more frequent in malignant tumors (P=0.000). Women with malignant tumors had highest values of RMI and PDI (P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Anamnestic data, ultrasound parameters and laboratory analyses were all found to be good discriminating factors among malignant, benignant and borderline tumors.

[Giant asymptomatic borderline ovarian tumor in a patient suffering from choledocholithiasis and cholangitis].

Borderline tumors account for about 15% of all ovarian epithelial tumors and are usually diagnosed only when they reach a significant size causing abdominal pain or distension. Clinical, sonographic and Doppler examinations, as well as tumor marker levels cannot detect this type of ovarian tumor with certainty. The definitive diagnosis can only be established by a histopathological examination. We present a case of a 58-year-old patient operated on at our clinic for asymptomatic borderline ovarian tumor. Prior to admission, the patient underwent a medical check-up at the surgery department, where she was diagnosed with choledocholithiasis, and, consequently, the need for urgent surgical treatment for calculosis was excluded. In the presented case the ovarian tumor was revealed owing to the occurrence of choledocholithiasis and cholangitis. The choledocholithiasis and cholangitis, which contributed to the accurate diagnosis of the tumor, were at the same time some of the possible reasons for misleading diagnosis and therapy complications in our patient's case.

Evaluation of adnexal masses: correlation between clinical, ultrasound and histopathological findings.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Concerning the growth of ovarian carcinoma incidence and bad prognosis for malignant forms, early and precise diagnostics is gaining in importance as a condition for precise and appropriate therapy for ovarian tumor masses. The aim of this study was to analyze pre- and postoperative findings of patients with adnexal masses in order to identify factors which could predict the nature and stage of the tumor prior to surgery. METHODS: All patients with adnexal masses who were treated in a 6-month period in the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, (IOG, CCS), Belgrade, had their epidemiologic and gynecologic anamnesis and standard laboratory analyses taken prior to surgery. Also, clinical and ultrasonographic check up of pelvic organs was performed, as well as calculation of body mass index (BMI) and risk of malignancy index (RMI). After surgery we analyzed histopathological (HP) findings of tumors as a mean of final diagnosis and staging. For statistical analysis, we used SPSS 15 program. RESULTS: Throughout a 6-month period, we examined 81 patients with adnexal masses treated in the IOG CCS. HP findings showed that there were significantly more benign (n = 51) than malignant (n = 30) tumors in all the patients (Chi2 = 5.512). The patients with malignant HP findings were significantly older than those with benign adnexal masses (t = 3.362; p = 0.001). Significantly more patients with malignant HP findings were in menopause (p = 0.034). BMI values were highly significantly higher in the patients with malignant adnexal tumors (t = 3.421; p = 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between HP categories (benign, malignant) and RMI categories (low, intermediate and high risk) of all the patients (high risk, more malignant HP) (Ro(xy) = 0.428; df = 78; p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: . Patients in menopause, especially older ones, with high BMI and RMI should immediately be referred to a tertiary level institution, where appropriate surgery could be performed.

Analysis of urologic complications after radical hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Injuries of the ureter or bladder or development of vesicovaginal and ureterovaginal fistulas are the most serious complications in gynecological surgery. STUDY DESIGN: This study included 536 women who underwent radical hysterectomy because of invasive cancer of the cervix uteri. RESULTS: During the surgery the ureter was injured in 1.32% of cases, whereas the percentage of bladder injuries was 1.49. In the early postoperative period vesicovaginal or ureterovaginal fistulas appeared in 2.61% and 2.43% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: The stage of the disease, obesity, diabetes, and postoperative surgical infection acted as predisposing factors of the urinary tract complications.