Validity of E-Flow Colour Doppler Indices in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Ovarian Tumours

Abstract

To determine the validity of Pulsatility and Resistive index of trans-abdominal Doppler ultrasound(e-flow) in distinguishing between benign and malignant adnexal masses keeping histopathology as gold standard.
Methods: In this cross sectional study patients scheduled for elective surgery due to adenaxal masses were included. All patients were sonographically evaluated for Pulsatility and Resistance indices aided with colour e-flow Doppler before the elective surgery of lesions. The performing radiologist had no information on the patients, to differentiate between benign and malignant adnexal masses based on Doppler indices. The final diagnoses were based on pathological and operative findings, keeping histopathology as gold standard.
Results: Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were recruited out of which 18 were excluded, since the masses were finally not proven to be adnexal. Of the remaining 211 cases available for analysis, 163 were benign and 48 were malignant. The sensitivity and specificity of the Pulsatility index for distinction were 89.57% and 85.42% and values for the Resistance index were 89.57% and 89.58% respectively.
Conclusions: Pulsatility and resistance indices with trans-abdominal Doppler ultrasound (e-flow) have high accuracy in differentiating between benign and malignant adnexal masses.