ovarian pathology ch 44 Flashcards
Normal Sonographic Appearance
- Homogeneous echotexture
- May exhibit central, more echogenic
medulla. - Small anechoic or cystic follicles may be
seen peripherally in cortex. - Appearance varies with age and menstrual
cycle.
During early proliferative phase,
many follicles develop and increase in size until about day 8 or 9 of cycle due to stimulation by both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
At that time, one follicle becomes dominant,
reaching up to
2.0 to 2.5 cm at time of
ovulation.
Follicular cyst develops
if fluid in
nondominant follicles not reabsorbed
Dominant follicle usually
disappears
immediately after rupture at ovulation.
Occasionally follicle decreases in
size and develops a wall that appears crenulated (scalloped).
Following menopause,
ovary atrophies and follicles disappear with
increasing age.
Postmenopausal ovaries are difficult to visualize
sonographically because of smaller size and lack of discrete follicles.
Stationary loop of bowel may
mimic small shrunken ovary; look for
peristalsis in bowel.
After hysterectomy,
ovaries can be difficult to visualize with
ultrasound.
Ovarian Volume
- In adult menstruating female, normal ovary may have volume as large as 22 cc, with mean ovarian volume of 9.8 ± 5.8 cc.
- Volume of more than 8.0 cc considered abnormal for postmenopausal patient.
- Volume of more than twice that of opposite side should also be considered abnormal, regardless of actual size.
Cystic Masses
Majority of ovarian masses simple
cysts, most of which are benign
Cystic Masses Sonographic Findings
- thin smooth wall
- anechoic contents
- acoustic enhancement
Cystic masses are
mostly fluid-filled, may
have some echoes
Common Cystic Masses
- Follicular cyst
- Corpus luteum cyst of pregnancy
- Cystic teratoma
- Paraovarian cyst
- Hydrosalpinx
- Endometrioma (low-level echoes)
- Hemorrhagic cyst
Complex masses may
have cystic and solid components, usually are cystic with many internal echoes or debris
common complex masses
- Cystadenoma
- Dermoid cyst
- Tubo-ovarian abscess
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Granulosa cell tumor
Mixed solid to cystic ovarian masses typical of all
epithelial ovarian tumors
During peak fertile years,
only 1 in 15 malignant; ratio becomes 1 in 3 after age 40
sonographically complex the mass,
more likely to be malignant, especially
if associated with ascites
solid masses
large and often fill pelvic cavity
When solid mass found,
care taken to identify connection with uterus
to differentiate ovarian lesion from pedunculated fibroid
Color Doppler helpful with solid mass by
using color to identify vascular pedicle between uterus and mass, as can often be identified with pedunculation
Solid masses are usually
hypoechoic or hyperechoic with no fluid levels, may be heterogeneous