Sonographic morphology scores (SMS) for differentiation between benign and malignant adnexal masses

Abstract

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of a scoring system for distinguishing between benign and malignant adnexal masses and to detect threshold scores for prediction of malignant ovarian tumors. Study design: Cross-sectional diagnostic testing. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University. Subjects: A total 158 patients scheduled for elective surgery due to ovarian tumors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital between June 16, 2002 and August 8, 2004 were recruited into the study. Methods: All patients were sonographically examed within 72 hours before surgery by the same sonographer to evaluate the morphology including wall structure, shadowing, septum, echogenicity and score the tumors. The final diagnosis was based on either pathological or operative findings. Main outcome measure:Sensitivity and specificity of the best cut-off score. Results: A score of 5 from the receiver operating characteristic curve was found to be the best cut-off score, giving a sensitivity and a specificity of 85% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion: Sonographic morphology scores are useful in distinguishing adnexal malignancies from benign lesions in some selected cases.