English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Among all the disorders of female reproductive system, adnexal masses are one of the most common disorders. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate an adnexal mass and to differentiate the mass as benign or malignant and facilitate selection of appropriate treatment algorithm. For few benign lesions, radiological follow-up is very suitable for further management and additional follow-up may not be useful when an imaging abnormality is not found. METHODS Our study was conducted in Osmania General Hospital and its allied hospital named Government Maternity Hospital, Hyderabad, on about 150 patients. This is an institution-based, multicentric, cross-sectional, prospective, analytical study. All clinically suspected female patients with adnexal masses referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis were evaluated. These patients were first subjected to ultrasonography, followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (plain and contrast wherever required). MRI findings were compared with ultrasonography. These findings were compared with operative findings and histopathological findings, wherever performed. RESULTS In the present study, females in the age group of 21 – 40 years showed majority of pelvic lesions - 81 (54 %). Most of the pelvic masses were arising from the ovary - 102 (68 %). Majority of the adnexal lesions on MRI were benign in nature - 132 (88 %). MRI showed a sensitivity of 100 %, specificity of 97.7 %, and a positive predictive value of 83 %, & a negative predictive value of 100 %. CONCLUSIONS In practice, ultrasonography (USG) is the primary modality for diagnosing the pelvic mass. MRI is superior to ultrasound and can be used as problem solving technique in the assessment of pelvic mass. The multiplanar imaging capability allows accurate identification of origin of mass and characterisation of mass. This is helpful to the preoperative planning of sonographically detected mass and avoids surgery in possible cases. MRI is the technique of choice for staging, treatment planning and post treatment follow-up of pelvic malignancies. KEYWORDS MRI, USG, Adnexal Masses, Ovarian Masses, Board Ligament Lesions, Fallopian Tube Lesions, Cysts