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Purpose: This study aimed to develop predictive models for pathological residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) by integrating parameters derived from transvaginal ultrasound, MRI and PET/CT imaging at different time points and time intervals. Methods: Patients with histologically proven LACC, stage IB2–IVA, were prospectively enrolled. For each patient, the three examinations were performed before, 2 and 5 weeks after treatment (“baseline”, “early” and “final”, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression models to predict complete vs. partial pathological response (pR) were developed and a cost analysis was performed. Results: Between October 2010 and June 2014, 88 patients were included. Complete or partial pR was found in 45.5% and 54.5% of patients, respectively. The two most clinically useful models in pR prediction were (1) using percentage variation of SUVmax retrieved at PET/CT “baseline” and “final” examination, and (2) including high DWI signal intensity (SI) plus, ADC, and SUVmax collected at “final” evaluation (area under the curve (95% Confidence Interval): 0.80 (0.71–0.90) and 0.81 (0.72–0.90), respectively). Conclusion: The percentage variation in SUVmax in the time interval before and after completing neoadjuvant CRT, as well as DWI SI plus ADC and SUVmax obtained after completing neoadjuvant CRT, could be used to predict residual cervical cancer in LACC patients. From a cost point of view, the use of MRI and PET/CT is preferable.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and ultrasound characteristics of ovarian pure clear cell carcinoma. METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving data from 11 ultrasound centers. From the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) database, 105 patients who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination by an experienced ultrasound examiner between 1999 and 2016 were identified with a histologically confirmed pure clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. An additional 47 patients diagnosed with pure clear cell carcinoma between 1999 and 2016 and with available complete preoperative ultrasound reports were identified retrospectively from the databases of the departments of gynecological oncology in the participating centers. The ultrasound images of all tumors were described using IOTA terminology. Clinical and ultrasound characteristics were analyzed for the whole group, and separately, for patients with and those without histologically confirmed endometriosis, and for patients with evidence of tumor developing from endometriosis. RESULTS: Median age of the 152 patients was 53.5 (range, 28-92) years and 92/152 (60.5%) tumors were FIGO Stage I. Most tumors (128/152, 84.2%) were unilateral. On ultrasound examination, all tumors contained solid components and 36/152 (23.7%) were completely solid masses. The median largest diameter of the lesion was 117 (range, 25-310) mm. Papillary projections were present in 58/152 (38.2%) masses and, in most of these (51/56, 91.1%), vascularized papillary projections were seen. Information regarding the presence, site and type of pelvic endometriosis at histology was available for 130/152 patients. Endometriosis was noted in 54 (41.5%) of these. In 24/130 (18.6%) patients, the tumor was judged to have developed from endometriosis. Patients with, compared to those without, evidence of tumor developing from endometriosis were younger (median 47.5 vs 55.0 years, respectively), and ground-glass echogenicity of cyst fluid was more common in pure clear cell cancers developing from endometriosis (10/20 vs 13/79 (50.0% vs 16.5%), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian pure clear cell carcinoma is usually diagnosed at an early stage and typically appears as a large unilateral mass with solid components. Patients with clear cell carcinoma developing from endometriosis are younger than other patients with clear cell carcinoma, and clear cell cancers developing from endometriosis more often manifest ground-glass echogenicity of cyst fluid. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. ispartof: Ultrasound In Obstetrics & Gynecology vol:52 issue:6 pages:792-800 ispartof: location:England status: published

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and ultrasound characteristics of serous cystadenofibromas in the adnexa. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients identified in the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) database, who had a histological diagnosis of serous cystadenofibroma and had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination by an experienced ultrasound examiner, between 1999 and 2012. In the IOTA database, which contains data collected prospectively, the tumors were described using the terms and definitions of the IOTA group. In addition, three authors reviewed, first independently and then together, ultrasound images of serous cystadenofibromas and described them using pattern recognition. RESULTS: We identified 233 women with a histological diagnosis of serous cystadenofibroma. In the IOTA database, most cystadenofibromas (67.4%; 157/233) were described as containing solid components but 19.3% (45/233) were described as multilocular cysts and 13.3% (31/233) as unilocular cysts. Papillary projections were described in 52.4% (122/233) of the cystadenofibromas. In 79.5% (97/122) of the cysts with papillary projections, color Doppler signals were absent in the papillary projections. Most cystadenofibromas (83.7%; 195/233) manifested no or minimal color Doppler signals. On retrospective analysis of 201 ultrasound images of serous cystadenofibromas, using pattern recognition, 10 major types of ultrasound appearance were identified. The most common pattern was a unilocular solid cyst with one or more papillary projections, but no other solid components (25.9%; 52/201). The second most common pattern was a multilocular solid mass with small solid component(s), but no papillary projections (19.4%; 39/201). The third and fourth most common patterns were multi- or bilocular cyst (16.9%; 34/201) and unilocular cyst (11.9%; 24/201). Using pattern recognition, shadowing was identified in 39.8% (80/201) of the tumors, and microcystic appearance of the papillary projections was observed in 34 (38.6%) of the 88 tumors containing papillary projections. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound features of serous cystadenofibromas vary. The most common pattern is a unilocular solid cyst with one or more papillary projections but no other solid components, with absent color Doppler signals. Most serous cystadenofibromas were poorly vascularized on color Doppler examination and many manifested acoustic shadowing. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. ispartof: ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY vol:54 issue:6 pages:823-830 ispartof: location:England status: published

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the intra- and inter-rater agreement for myometrial lesions using Morphologic Uterus Sonographic Assessment terminology. METHODS: Thirteen raters with high (n = 6) or medium experience (n = 7) assessed 30 3-dimensional ultrasound clips with (n = 20) and without (n = 10) benign myometrial lesions. Myometrial lesions were reported as poorly or well defined and then systematically evaluated for the presence of individual features. The clips were blindly assessed twice (at a 2-month interval). Intra- and inter-rater agreements were calculated with κ statistics. RESULTS: The reporting of poorly defined lesions reached moderate intra-rater agreement (κ = 0.49 [high experience] and 0.47 [medium experience]) and poor inter-rater agreement (κ = 0.39 [high experience] and 0.25 [medium experience]). The reporting of well-defined lesions reached good to very good intra-rater agreement (κ = 0.73 [high experience] and 0.82 [medium experience]) and good inter-rater agreement (κ = 0.75 [high experience] and 0.63 [medium experience]). Most individual features associated with ill-defined lesions reached moderate intra- and inter-rater agreement among highly experienced raters (κ = 0.41-0.60). The least reproducible features were myometrial cysts, hyperechoic islands, subendometrial lines and buds, and translesional flow (κ = 0.11-0.34). Most individual features associated with well-defined lesions reached moderate to good intra- and inter-rater agreement among all observers (κ = 0.41-0.80). The least reproducible features were a serosal contour, asymmetry, a hyperechoic rim, and fan-shaped shadows (κ = 0.00-0.35). CONCLUSIONS: The reporting of well-defined lesions showed excellent agreement, whereas the agreement for poorly defined lesions was low, even among highly experienced raters. The agreement on identifying individual features varied, especially for features associated with ill-defined lesions. Guidelines on minimum requirements for features associated with ill-defined lesions to be interpreted as poorly defined lesions may improve agreement., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and ultrasound characteristics of ovarian pure endometrioid carcinomas.METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study of patients with a histological diagnosis of pure endometrioid carcinoma. We identified 161 patients from the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) database who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination by an experienced ultrasound examiner between 1999 and 2016, and another 78 patients from the databases of the departments of gynecological oncology in the participating centers. All tumors were described using IOTA terminology. In addition, one author reviewed all available ultrasound images and described them using pattern recognition.RESULTS: Median age of the 239 patients was 55 years (range, 19-88 years). On ultrasound examination, two (0.8%) endometrioid carcinomas were described as unilocular cysts, three (1.3%) as multilocular cysts, 37 (15.5%) as unilocular-solid cysts, 115 (48.1%) as multilocular-solid cysts and 82 (34.3%) as solid masses. Median largest tumor diameter was 102.5 mm (range, 20-300 mm) and median largest diameter of the largest solid component was 63 mm (range, 9-300 mm). Papillary projections were present in 70 (29.3%) masses. Most cancers (188 (78.7%)) were unilateral. In 49 (20.5%) cases, the cancer was judged by the pathologist to develop from endometriosis. These cancers, compared with those without evidence of tumor developing from endometriosis, more often manifested papillary projections on ultrasound (46.9% (23/49) vs 24.7% (47/190)), were less often bilateral (8.2% (4/49) vs 24.7% (47/190)) and less often associated with ascites (6.1% (3/49) vs 28.4% (54/190)) and fluid in the pouch of Douglas (24.5% (12/49) vs 48.9% (93/190)). Retrospective analysis of available ultrasound images using pattern recognition revealed that many tumors without evidence of tumor developing from endometriosis (36.3% (41/113)) had a large central solid component entrapped within locules, giving the tumor a cockade-like appearance.CONCLUSIONS: Endometrioid cancers are usually large, unilateral, multilocular-solid or solid tumors. The ultrasound characteristics of endometrioid carcinomas developing from endometriosis differ from those without evidence of tumor developing from endometriosis, the former being more often unilateral cysts with papillary projections and no ascites. (Less)

Purpose No prior studies investigated the role of ultrasound in the assessment of response of patients undergoing treatment of metatarsalgia with custom-made orthoses. Our aim was to describe ultrasound findings of patients with plantar forefoot pain treated with custom-made foot orthoses. Methods Twenty patients (15 females; mean age: 62.6 ± 11 years) affected by metatarsalgia in 27/40 feet underwent clinical evaluation before, three months and six months after treatment with custom-made full foot insole with a support proximal and an excavation below the painful metatarsals. Ultrasound was performed before and three months after the use of orthoses to examine the presence of intermetatarsal/submetatarsal bursitis, metatarsophalangeal joints effusion, anterior plantar fat pad oedema, flexor tendinitis/tenosynovitis, and Morton’s neuroma. Outcome measures were clinical response with Foot Function Index (FFI)/Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and ultrasound features changes. Results Median VAS and FFI before treatment were 8[5–8.5] and 45.85[32.4–59.4], respectively. After 3 and 6 months of insoles use, both median VAS (2.5 [0–5] and 0 [0–2.75], respectively) and median FFI (7.9 [3.95–20] and 0 [0–3.95], respectively) showed a significant reduction in pain and disability (p p Conclusion Ultrasound might be able to detect some imaging features associated with the response of forefoot pain to custom-made foot orthoses, especially intermetatarsal bursitis.

The objective of [Video 1][1] is to present two cases of epithelial ovarian carcinomas, examined at the Gynecologic Oncology Unit of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, in Rome, Italy. Our local Ethics Committee was consulted, but this article is exempt from the need

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and sonographic characteristics of malignant ovarian yolk sac tumors (YSTs). METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, we included 21 patients with a histological diagnosis of ovarian YST and available transvaginal ultrasound images and/or videoclips and/or a detailed ultrasound report. Ten patients identified from the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) studies had undergone a standardized preoperative ultrasound examination, by an experienced ultrasound examiner, between 1999 and 2016. A further 11 patients were identified through medical files, for whom ultrasound images were retrieved from local image workstations and picture archiving and communication systems. All tumors were described using IOTA terminology. The collected ultrasound images and videoclips were used by two observers for additional characterization of the tumors. RESULTS: All cases were pure YSTs, except for one that was a mixed tumor (80% YST and 20% embryonal carcinoma). Median age at diagnosis was 25 (interquartile range (IQR), 19.5-30.5) years. Seventy-six percent (16/21) of women had an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage I-II tumor at diagnosis. Fifty-eight percent (11/19) of women felt pain during the ultrasound examination and one presented with ovarian torsion. Median serum α-fetoprotein (S-AFP) level was 4755 (IQR, 1071-25 303) µg/L and median serum CA 125 level was 126 (IQR, 35-227) kU/L. On ultrasound assessment, 95% (20/21) of tumors were unilateral. The median maximum tumor diameter was 157 (IQR, 107-181) mm and the largest solid component was 110 (IQR, 66-159) mm. Tumors were classified as either multilocular-solid (10/21; 48%) or solid (11/21; 52%). Papillary projections were found in 10% (2/21) of cases. Most (20/21; 95%) tumors were well vascularized (color score, 3-4) and none had acoustic shadowing. Malignancy was suspected in all cases, except in the patient with ovarian torsion, who presented a tumor with a color score of 1, which was classified as probably benign. Image and videoclip quality was considered as adequate in 18/21 cases. On review of the images and videoclips, we found that all tumors contained both solid components and cystic spaces, and that 89% (16/18) had irregular, still fine-textured and slightly hyperechoic solid tissue, giving them a characteristic appearance. CONCLUSION: Malignant ovarian YSTs are often detected at an early stage, in young women usually in the second or third decade of life, presenting with pain and markedly elevated S-AFP. On ultrasound, malignant ovarian YSTs are mostly unilateral, large and multilocular-solid or solid, with fine-textured slightly hyperechoic solid tissue and rich vascularization. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.. ispartof: ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY vol:56 issue:2 pages:276-284 ispartof: location:England status: published

Objective To describe the clinical and ultrasound characteristics of uterine sarcomas. Methods This was a retrospective multicenter study. From the databases of 13 ultrasound centers, we identified patients with a histological diagnosis of uterine sarcoma with available ultrasound reports and ultrasound images who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination between 1996 and 2016. As the first step, each author collected information from the original ultrasound reports from his/her own center on predefined ultrasound features of the tumors and by reviewing the ultrasound images to identify information on variables not described in the original report. As the second step, 16 ultrasound examiners reviewed the images electronically in a consensus meeting and described them using predetermined terminology. Results We identified 116 patients with leiomyosarcoma, 48 with endometrial stromal sarcoma and 31 with undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma. Median age of the patients was 56 years (range, 26-86 years). Most patients were symptomatic at diagnosis (164/183 (89.6%)), the most frequent presenting symptom being abnormal vaginal bleeding (91/183 (49.7%)). Patients with endometrial stromal sarcoma were younger than those with leiomyosarcoma and undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma (median age, 46 years vs 57 and 60 years, respectively). According to the assessment by the original ultrasound examiners, the median diameter of the largest tumor was 91 mm (range, 7-321 mm). Visible normal myometrium was reported in 149/195 (76.4%) cases, and 80.0% (156/195) of lesions were solitary. Most sarcomas (155/195 (79.5%)) were solid masses (> 80% solid tissue), and most manifested inhomogeneous echogenicity of the solid tissue (151/195 (77.4%)); one sarcoma was multilocular without solid components. Cystic areas were described in 87/195 (44.6%) tumors and most cyst cavities had irregular walls (67/87 (77.0%)). Internal shadowing was observed in 42/192 (21.9%) sarcomas and fan-shaped shadowing in 4/192 (2.1%). Moderate or rich vascularization was found on color-Doppler examination in 127/187 (67.9%) cases. In 153/195 (78.5%) sarcomas, the original ultrasound examiner suspected malignancy. Though there were some differences, the results of the first and second steps of the analysis were broadly similar. Conclusions Uterine sarcomas typically appear as solid masses with inhomogeneous echogenicity, sometimes with irregular cystic areas but only very occasionally with fan-shaped shadowing. Most are moderately or very well vascularized. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

To determine the diagnostic performance of two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound parameters, three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler and contrast-enhanced indices in detecting residual disease in locally advanced cervical cancer patients triaged to neoadjuvant treatment followed by radical surgery.Between October 2010 and June 2014, we screened 108 women with histologically documented locally advanced cervical cancer Stage IB2-IVA, of whom 88 were included in the final analysis. 2D ultrasound parameters, 3D power Doppler and contrast-ultrasound parameters were assessed 5 weeks after the end of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The pathological response was defined as complete (absence of any residual tumor after treatment) or partial (including microscopic and/or macroscopic residual tumor at pathology examination). The two response groups were compared and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves generated to determine the best cut-off value of sonographic tumor diameter to predict residual disease. Histology was considered as reference.Complete pathological response to chemoradiation was observed in 40 (45.5%) patients and partial response in 48 (54.5%). The presence of residual disease, as confirmed at pathology examination, was detected by 2D grayscale ultrasound with a sensitivity of 64.6% and specificity of 65%. Color Doppler examination in the cases with lesions visualized on grayscale imaging detected the presence of residual disease, confirmed at pathology, with a sensitivity of 87.1% and specificity of 21.4%. The best area under the ROC curve (0.817) was for the detection of pathological residual disease of at least 6 mm in diameter, using a cut-off value of 12 mm for the largest tumor diameter assessed using 2D grayscale ultrasound (sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 70.6%). Neither 3D vascular indices nor contrast-ultrasound parameters obtained for lesions suspected at ultrasound following chemoradiation differed significantly between patients with histological complete and those with partial response.Our results show that grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound have a low level of diagnostic performance in detecting residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The best performance was achieved in detection of macroscopic (≥ 6 mm) residual disease. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John WileySons Ltd.

Objective Chemoradiation-based neoadjuvant treatment followed by radical surgery is an alternative therapeutic strategy for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) –stage ≥ IB2 (except of IIA1)– but ultrasound variables used to predict neoadjuvant partial response are not well defined. The goal of this study was to prospectively analyze the potential role of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) in early predicting pathologically assessed residual disease in a large, single-institution series of LACC patients triaged to neoadjuvant treatment followed by radical surgery. Methods Between October 2010 and June 2014, 108 women with histologically documented LACC were screened and 88 of them were included in the final analysis. Tumor volume, 3D power Doppler indices and contrast parameters were obtained before (baseline examination) and after two weeks of treatment (early examination). The pathological response was defined as complete (absence of any residual tumor after treatment) or partial, including both microscopic and macroscopic residual tumor at pathological examination. Comparisons between the two groups (complete response group versus partial response group) were made with Mann–Whitney-test or Wilcoxon-test and χ2-test, as appropriate. Receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for statistically significant ultrasound variables on univariate analysis to evaluate their diagnostic ability to predict pathological partial response. Results Complete and partial pathological responses to neoadjuvant therapy were documented in 40 (45.5%) and 48 (54.5%) patients respectively. At baseline examination, tumor volume did not differ between patients with a complete and those with a partial response. However, after two weeks of neoadjuvant treatment, the tumor volume was significantly higher in patients with partial response than in those with complete response (p = 0.019). Among the 3D vascular indices, vascularization index (VI) was significantly lower in partial response group than in complete response group both before and two weeks after treatment (p = 0.037 and p = 0.024 respectively). In the contrast analysis, a lower tumor peak enhancement (PE) as well as a lower tumor Wash in Rate (WiR), and a longer tumor Rise Time (RT) were observed at baseline examination in women with partial response than in those with complete response (p = 0.006, p = 0.003, p = 0.038, respectively). No difference was found in terms of contrast parameters at early examination. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of baseline parameters showed that the best cut-off for predicting pathological partial response was 41.5% for VI (sensitivity 63.6% and specificity 66.7%); 16123.5 for tumor PE (sensitivity 47.9% and specificity 84.2%); 7.8 s for tumor RT (sensitivity 68.8% and specificity 57.9%); and 4902 for tumor WiR (sensitivity 77.1% and specificity 60.5%). ROC curves of early parameters showed that the best cut-off for predicting pathological partial response was 18.1 cm3 for tumor volume (sensitivity 71% and specificity 60%) and 39.5% for VI (sensitivity 63% and specificity 74%). Conclusions Ultrasound and contrast parameters differ between patients with complete response and those with partial response before and after two weeks of neoadjuvant treatment. However, neither ultrasound parameters performed before treatment nor those performed two weeks after treatment have shown a cut-off value with acceptable sensitivity and specificity for predicting pathological partial response to neoadjuvant therapy.

Objective To estimate intra- and interrater agreement and reliability with regard to describing ultrasound images of the endometrium using the International Endometrial Tumor Analysis (IETA) terminology. Methods Four expert and four non-expert raters assessed videoclips of transvaginal ultrasound examinations of the endometrium obtained from 99 women with postmenopausal bleeding and sonographic endometrial thickness ≥ 4.5 mm but without fluid in the uterine cavity. The following features were rated: endometrial echogenicity, endometrial midline, bright edge, endometrial-myometrial junction, color score, vascular pattern, irregularly branching vessels and color splashes. The color content of the endometrial scan was estimated using a visual analog scale graded from 0 to 100. To estimate intrarater agreement and reliability, the same videoclips were assessed twice with a minimum of 2 months' interval. The raters were blinded to their own results and to those of the other raters. Results Interrater differences in the described prevalence of most IETA variables were substantial, and some variable categories were observed rarely. Specific agreement was poor for variables with many categories. For binary variables, specific agreement was better for absence than for presence of a category. For variables with more than two outcome categories, specific agreement for expert and non-expert raters was best for not-defined endometrial midline (93% and 96%), regular endometrial-myometrial junction (72% and 70%) and three-layer endometrial pattern (67% and 56%). The grayscale ultrasound variable with the best reliability was uniform vs non-uniform echogenicity (multirater kappa (κ), 0.55 for expert and 0.52 for non-expert raters), and the variables with the lowest reliability were appearance of the endometrial-myometrial junction (κ, 0.25 and 0.16) and the nine-category endometrial echogenicity variable (κ, 0.29 and 0.28). The most reliable color Doppler variable was color score (mean weighted κ, 0.77 and 0.69). Intra- and interrater agreement and reliability were similar for experts and non-experts. Conclusions Inter- and intrarater agreement and reliability when using IETA terminology were limited. This may have implications when assessing the association between a particular ultrasound feature and a specific histological diagnosis, because lack of reproducibility reduces the reliability of the association between a feature and the outcome. Future studies should investigate whether using fewer categories of variable or offering practical training could improve agreement and reliability. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

OBJECTIVES To describe clinical and ultrasound features of different subclasses of malignant serous ovarian tumors according to the World Health Organization 2014 classification. METHODS Patients with a histological diagnosis of borderline tumor (BOT), non-invasive and invasive low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) and high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination, were retrospectively identified from two ultrasound centers. The masses were described using the terms of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Group. RESULTS Sixty-four (15.8%) women had a serous BOT, 11 (2.7%) a non-invasive LGSC, 31 (7.6%) an invasive LGSC and 300 (73.9%) had a HGSC. The vast majority of BOTs (82.3%) and non-invasive LGSCs (90.9%) were Stage I according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification scheme, whereas most invasive LGSCs (74.2%) and HGSCs (74.0%) were FIGO Stage III. On ultrasound examination, most borderline lesions were described as unilocular-solid (54.7%) or as multilocular-solid (29.7%) cysts. Papillary projections were present in 52 (81.3%) BOTs. Most non-invasive LGSCs (63.6%) were multilocular-solid cysts and 81.8% had papillary projections. Invasive LGSCs were multilocular-solid cysts in 54.8% of cases, and papillary projections were present in 32.3% of lesions. HGSCs were multilocular-solid (32.7%) or solid (64.0%) masses, with papillary projections in only 7% of cases. CONCLUSIONS Papillary projections were the most typical ultrasound feature of non-invasive (borderline and low-grade) malignant serous tumors, while the presence of solid components but few, if any, papillations was the most representative feature of invasive (low-grade and high-grade) serous tumors. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Ultrasound examination is considered to be the first line imaging method to diagnose an ovarian mass with a high degree of accuracy, discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian masses in the hands of experienced examiners. The International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group provided a

Objective To describe the clinical and ultrasound findings in patients with mucinous ovarian tumors. Methods In this retrospective study, women with a histological diagnosis of mucinous ovarian tumor who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination were identified from the database of a single ultrasound center. The histological examination was performed by the same pathologist in all cases, and the ultrasound appearance of the tumors was described using the terms and definitions of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis group. Results We identified 123 women with a histological diagnosis of mucinous ovarian tumor, of whom 57 (46%) had benign cystadenoma, 34 (28%) had gastrointestinal (GI)-type borderline tumor, 10 (8%) had endocervical-type borderline tumor and 22 (18%) had GI-type invasive carcinoma. On ultrasound examination, 65% (37/57) of cystadenomas were multilocular, of which 59% had ≤ 10 locules, and 79% (27/34) of GI-type borderline tumors were multilocular, of which 89% had > 10 locules. Conversely, 60% (6/10) of endocervical-type borderline tumors had papillations. Eighty-two percent (18/22) of invasive masses contained solid components and 55% (12/22) were multilocular-solid cysts. Bilateral mucinous cystadenomas were found in two women (4% of women with benign tumors) and bilateral borderline tumors of endocervical type in two women (20% of women with borderline tumors of endocervical type). No woman had a bilateral GI-type borderline tumor or a bilateral invasive tumor. Conclusions A multilocular cyst with 2–10 locules is representative of a benign cystadenoma, whereas a multilocular cyst with > 10 locules is indicative of a GI-type borderline tumor. Most invasive tumors of mucinous GI-type contain solid components, the most typical ultrasound appearance being that of a multilocular-solid tumor. Papillary projections are typical features of endocervical-type borderline tumors. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A 51-year-old G2P1 woman (body mass index 29 kg/m2) was diagnosed with an incidental adnexal mass at a routine screening gynecologic examination. A pelvic ultrasound was performed and it showed evidence of a 5.3 cm right ovarian mass with irregular margins and vascularized papillary projections ([

To investigate ultrasound features and the best cut-off value of the cancer antigen 125/carcinoembryonic antigen (CA125/CEA) ratio to discriminate ovarian metastases from benign and primary malignant ovarian neoplasms in two selected groups of morphological ovarian masses, namely multilocular masses with five or more locules and multilocular-solid masses.Patients with multilocular (five or more locules) or multilocular-solid ovarian masses, operated on within 3 months of ultrasound examination, and with tumor markers (CEA and CA125) available at diagnosis, were identified retrospectively from three ultrasound centers. The masses were described using the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) terminology. Ultrasound and clinical characteristics were compared between those with an ovarian neoplasm (including benign and primary malignant neoplasms) and those with an ovarian metastasis. Receiver-operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the ability of CA125, CEA and CA125/CEA to differentiate between ovarian neoplasms and ovarian metastases, and their predictive performance was assessed.In total, 350 (88.4%) patients with an ovarian neoplasm (including 99 benign, 43 borderline and 197 primary epithelial ovarian carcinomas, seven malignant rare tumors and four other types of invasive ovarian tumor) and 46 (11.6%) patients with an ovarian metastasis were analyzed. On ultrasound examination, ovarian neoplasms were smaller than ovarian metastases (median largest diameter, 97 (range, 20-387) mm vs 146 (range, 43-259) mm, respectively; P 0.0001) and presented with a lower number of cysts with 10 locules (18.9% vs 54.3%; P 0.0001). ROC curve analysis showed that the best cut-off value of CEA for distinguishing between ovarian neoplasms and ovarian metastases was 2.33 ng/mL. The predictive performance of this CEA cut-off value was: area under the curve (AUC), 0.791 (95% CI, 0.711-0.870); accuracy, 73.7%; sensitivity, 73.1%; specificity, 78.3%; positive predictive value (PPV), 96.2%; and negative predictive value (NPV), 27.7%. The best cut-off value of CA125/CEA for distinguishing between ovarian neoplasms and ovarian metastases was 11.92. The predictive performance of this CA125/CEA cut-off value was: AUC, 0.758 (95% CI, 0.683-0.833); accuracy, 79.8%; sensitivity, 82.3%; specificity, 60.9%; PPV, 94.1%; and NPV, 31.1%.CA125/CEA ratio and CEA alone did not show any significant difference in their ability to distinguish between ovarian neoplasms (including benign and malignant) and ovarian metastases in masses with multilocular and those with multilocular-solid morphology. Therefore, in this morphological subgroup of ovarian masses, CEA alone is sufficient to differentiate between ovarian neoplasms and ovarian metastases. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John WileySons Ltd.

PURPOSE: To compare contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS)-derived time-intensity (TI) curves with histological findings in kidneys of patients affected by chronic glomerulonephritides (GN) in the early stage of disease. METHODS: Research ethics committee approval and patient written informed consent were obtained. Thirty-one patients who showed clinical and laboratory signs of GN, with preserved renal function, were consecutively enrolled. They underwent kidney CEUS, from which TI curves were obtained, and kidney biopsy. TI curves were compared with clinical data, ultrasound (US) Doppler, and histological parameters. RESULTS: The persistence of contrast agent signal during the wash-out phase was found to be correlated with the degree of disease activity (p = 0.016) and in particular with the presence of mesangial hyperplasia (p = 0.008). No correlation was observed between TI curves and clinical or Doppler US-derived parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The persistence of contrast agent signal in the wash-out phase of CEUS appears to reflect a disturbance of perfusion in glomerular capillaries in the early stages of GN. We found that the histological element directly correlated with the prolonged wash-out was mesangial hyperplasia.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) in the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) of the posterior compartment (rectovaginal septum, uterosacral ligaments, rectosigmoid colon, vagina) when undertaken by physicians of varying experience and to investigate if size of the nodule is relevant in influencing diagnostic accuracy. Methods: 381 patients who were operated on between January 2007 and December 2010 for suspected pelvic endometriosis were prospectively recruited. Clinical, surgical and histopathologic data were collected and a preoperative TVS was carried out. Comparison was made between the diagnostic accuracy of TVS performed by two groups of physicians of different expertise. Results: One hundred and thirty-six patients underwent removal of deep endometriotic lesions of the posterior compartment. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and the overall diagnostic accuracy of the expert operators were 77%, 95%, 90%, 87% and 88% respectively. Corresponding values for first-level operators were: 45%, 98%, 92%, 79% and 81%. In patients with positive findings at TVS, the mean diameter of the endometriotic nodule was of 4.7 ± 3.4 cm while, in cases with negative findings, the average diameter was 2.6 ± 1.1 cm (P < 0.05). Conclusions: TVS is accurate in detecting the presence of DIE. Accuracy is dependent on the experience of the physician and the size of the nodule.

To assess if B-flow ultrasound improves visualization of flow of contrast medium in the Fallopian tubes during hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) compared with grayscale ultrasound.This prospective observational study included 160 women referred for HyCoSy as part of infertility work-up between January 2011 and September 2012. In each woman, at the same session, HyCoSy was performed first using saline with air and then using Sonovue®, and for each contrast medium, grayscale ultrasound was first used and then B-flow ultrasound was used. Flow of contrast was observed in three parts of each tube: intramural, middle and distal.In 129 (81%) women, flow of Sonovue was observed in the intramural part of both tubes and in the pouch of Douglas when using grayscale ultrasound. In these women, flow of Sonovue was seen in the middle part of 70% of the 258 tubes when using grayscale ultrasound and in 93% when using B-flow ultrasound; and in the distal part in 81% when using grayscale ultrasound and in 98% when using B-flow ultrasound. When using air and saline, flow was seen in the intramural part of 90% and 93% of the tubes, in the middle part in 54% and 72%, and in the distal part in 66% and 90%, using grayscale ultrasound and B-flow ultrasound, respectively.B-flow ultrasound facilitates detection of flow of contrast in the middle and distal parts of the tubes at HyCoSy, especially when a mixture of saline and air is used as contrast medium.

Objectives To describe clinical history and ultrasound findings in patients with tubal carcinoma. Methods Patients with a histological diagnosis of tubal cancer who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination were identified from the databases of 13 ultrasound centers. The tumors were described by the principal investigator at each contributing center on the basis of ultrasound images, ultrasound reports and research protocols (when applicable) using the terms and definitions of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group. In addition, three authors reviewed together all available digital ultrasound images and described them using subjective evaluation of gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound findings. Results We identified 79 women with a histological diagnosis of primary tubal cancer, 70 of whom (89%) had serous carcinomas and 46 (58%) of whom presented at FIGO stage III. Forty-nine (62%) women were asymptomatic (incidental finding), whilst the remaining 30 complained of abdominal bloating or pain. Fifty-three (67%) tumors were described as solid at ultrasound examination, 14 (18%) as multilocular solid, 10 (13%) as unilocular solid and two (3%) as unilocular. No tumor was described as a multilocular mass. Most tumors (70/79, 89%) were moderately or very well vascularized on color or power Doppler ultrasound. Normal ovarian tissue was identified adjacent to the tumor in 51% (39/77) of cases. Three types of ultrasound appearance were identified as being typical of tubal carcinoma using pattern recognition: a sausage-shaped cystic structure with solid tissue protruding into it like a papillary projection (11/62, 18%); a sausage-shaped cystic structure with a large solid component filling part of the cyst cavity (13/62, 21%); an ovoid or oblong completely solid mass (36/62, 58%). Conclusions A well vascularized ovoid or sausage-shaped structure, either completely solid or with large solid component(s) in the pelvis, should raise the suspicion of tubal cancer, especially if normal ovarian tissue is seen adjacent to it. Copyright (C) 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. (Less)

Low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs) include all mucinous tumors of the appendix without an infiltrative histological pattern, either confined to the appendix or that have spread to the peritoneum (pseudomyxoma peritoneii), according to the WHO Classification1 (Suppl 1). The ovarian involvement from LAMN is not uncommon and in most cases is the first evidence of primitive LAMNs. Metastatic LAMNs to the ovary are more indolent and have a better prognosis than metastatic appendiceal adenocarcinomas.2

STUDY OBJECTIVE: A very high percentage of patients with severe pelvic endometriosis develop adhesions after laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the role of ovarian suspension performed during surgery for severe endometriosis on ovarian adhesions and postoperative pelvic pain. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: The tertiary care University Hospital of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. PATIENTS: Eighty patients with ovarian and posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and were randomized sequentially into 2 groups: transient ovarian suspension was performed in the treatment group (n = 40), whereas in the control group (n = 40) ovaries were left free in the pelvis. Symptom intensity (dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dyschezia, and dysuria) were ranked using a visual analog scale. Postsurgical ovarian adhesions were evaluated using transvaginal ultrasonographic scans performed by an ultrasound operator who was blinded to the details of the operative procedure and women's randomization allocation. Complications, lesion localization, endometrioma diameter, and surgery time were recorded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At follow-up, a significantly lower rate of ultrasound-detectable ovarian adhesions with the uterus and the bowel was observed in the treatment group, respectively (46.7% vs 77.3%, p = .003 and 26.7% vs 68.2%, p < .0005). Patients in the control group showed a higher percentage of fixed ovaries with moderate and severe adhesions than the treatment group, respectively (56.8% vs 28.9%, p = .003 and 20.5% vs 8.9%, p = .110). No differences between the 2 groups were found regarding complications and pelvic pain. CONCLUSION: Ovarian suspension seems to be an additional effective surgical procedure associated with an increased ovarian mobility in women treated for severe endometriosis. Moreover, it is feasible, safe, simple, and fast. Hence, it should be routinely used during laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

Objectives To prospectively assess the diagnostic performance of transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using histology as the gold standard, with regard to the presence, size, and extent of invasive cervical cancers and the detection of metastatic lymph nodes. Methods This was a prospective study designed to examine patients with invasive cervical cancer by means of ultrasonography and MRI within 1 week before surgery. We included patients with early cervical cancer planned for primary surgery and patients with locally advanced cervical cancer planned for surgery after neoadjuvant treatment. Results An invasive cervical cancer tumor was confirmed in the 33 patients triaged for primary surgery. A residual tumor mass was documented in 27 out of 35 patients (77%) who underwent surgery after neoadjuvant treatment, with no residual tumor in eight (23%) cases. Transvaginal ultrasound and MRI examinations showed the presence of the tumor mass in 56/60 (93%) and in 53/60 (88%) cases, respectively. Ultrasound and MRI detected the depth of stromal invasion to be greater than two-thirds with a sensitivity of 100% (16/16) and 94% (15/16) (P = 1) and a false-positive rate of 25% (13/52) and 15% (8/52) (P = 0.58), respectively. Both ultrasound and MRI provided low sensitivities (3/5, 60% and 2/5, 40% respectively, P = 1) and the same false-positive rate (7/63, 11%) for the presence of parametrial infiltration. One of the 11 patients with metastatic lymph nodes was detected at ultrasound examination (sensitivity 9%) with no false-positive cases, while MRI correctly identified three positive cases (sensitivity 27%, 3/11) with two false-positive cases (false positive rate 4%, 2/55). Conclusions Ultrasound and MRI had similar sensitivity and specificity with regard to the parameters investigated. Ultrasound has the advantages over MRI of low cost, widespread availability and of being a relatively quick procedure. Ultrasound should be considered as a suitable diagnostic method in the preoperative work-up of cervical cancer. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective To describe the gray-scale sonographic and color Doppler imaging features of the most common histopathological subtypes of borderline ovarian tumors. Methods We analyzed retrospectively the preoperative transvaginal sonographic reports of patients with a histological diagnosis of borderline ovarian tumor. All patients were scanned consecutively by two of the investigators using transabdominal and transvaginal gray-scale imaging to assess the morphology and color Doppler to obtain indices of the blood flow. Sonographic findings were compared to histopathological data. Results A total of 113 consecutive cases were reviewed from two referral centers for gynecological oncology. At histological examination 50 tumors (44%) were classified as being serous borderline ovarian tumors (SBOT), 61 (54%) were mucinous borderline ovarian tumors (MBOT) (42 intestinal type and 19 endocervical type), and two patients (2%) presented with borderline endometrioid tumors. SBOTs and endocervical-type MBOTs had very similar sonographic features and a smaller diameter, fewer locules (usually unilocular-solid lesions) and a higher color score than intestinal-type MBOTs. Intestinal-type MBOTs were characterized by a significantly higher percentage of lesions with > 10 locules when compared with the endocervical-type MBOTs. Conclusion Intestinal-type MBOTs have different sonographic features from other common borderline ovarian tumors. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective To evaluate color Doppler characteristics of small recurrent tumors detected within the central pelvis in follow-up patients treated for gynecological malignancy. Patients and methods A prospective study was performed on 340 patients who were being monitored following treatment for gynecological malignancies. A selected group of 27 patients, with small pelvic masses located in the central region of the pelvis, underwent a color Doppler examination. A subjective assessment of the vascularization (vascular score), the lowest resistance index (RI), the highest peak velocity (PSV) and the highest time averaged maximum velocity (TAMXV) of the vessels detected within the lesion were analyzed. Results In 16 patients the pelvic mass was found to be benign while in 11 patients a malignant recurrence was diagnosed. Gray-scale examination could not differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. The color score of tumor recurrences was significantly higher in comparison to that in benign lesions (color score 3 in 54% vs. 0%, P < 0.005). The malignant lesions showed significantly lower mean values of RI and significantly higher mean values of PSV and TAMXV when compared with benign lesions (0.39 ± 0.09 vs. 0.81 ± 0.22, P < 0.0001; 19.3 ± 4.7 vs. 10.5 ± 5.6 cm/s, P < 0.0001; 8.9 ± 3.7 vs. 4.3 ± 2.7 cm/s, P < 0.005). Conclusions Color Doppler analysis added to transvaginal gray-scale ultrasonography seems to be a helpful tool in the diagnosis of recurrent tumors in the central region of the pelvis. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG

To estimate intraobserver repeatability and interobserver agreement in assessing the presence of papillary projections in adnexal masses and in classifying adnexal masses using the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis terminology for ultrasound examiners with different levels of experience. We also aimed to identify ultrasound findings that cause confusion and might be interpreted differently by different observers, and to determine if repeatability and agreement change after consensus has been reached on how to interpret 'problematic' ultrasound images.Digital clips (two to eight clips per adnexal mass) with gray-scale and color/power Doppler information of 83 adnexal masses in 80 patients were evaluated independently four times, twice before and twice after a consensus meeting, by four experienced and three less experienced ultrasound observers. The variables analyzed were tumor type (unilocular, unilocular solid, multilocular, multilocular solid, solid) and presence of papillary projections. Intraobserver repeatability was evaluated for each observer (percentage agreement, Cohen's kappa). Interobserver agreement was estimated for all seven observers (percentage agreement, Fleiss kappa, Cohen's kappa).There was uncertainty about how to define a solid component and a papillary projection, but consensus was reached at the consensus meeting. Interobserver agreement for tumor type was good both before and after the consensus meeting, with no clear improvement after the meeting, mean percentage agreement being 76.0% (Fleiss kappa, 0.695) before the meeting and 75.4% (Fleiss kappa, 0.682) after the meeting. Interobserver agreement with regard to papillary projections was moderate both before and after the consensus meeting, with no clear improvement after the meeting, mean percentage agreement being 86.6% (Fleiss kappa, 0.536) before the meeting and 82.7% (Fleiss kappa, 0.487) after it. There was substantial variability in pairwise agreement for papillary projections (Cohen's kappa, 0.148-0.787). Intraobserver repeatability with regard to tumor type was very good and similar before and after the consensus meeting (agreement 87-95%, kappa, 0.83-0.94). With regard to papillary projections intraobserver repeatability was good or very good both before and after the consensus meeting (agreement 88-100%, kappa, 0.64-1.0).Despite uncertainty about how to define solid components, interobserver agreement was good for tumor type. The interobserver agreement for papillary projection was moderate but very variable between observer pairs. The term 'papillary projection' might need a more precise definition. The consensus meeting did not change inter- or intraobserver agreement.

To describe clinical history and ultrasound findings in patients with tubal carcinoma.Patients with a histological diagnosis of tubal cancer who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination were identified from the databases of 13 ultrasound centers. The tumors were described by the principal investigator at each contributing center on the basis of ultrasound images, ultrasound reports and research protocols (when applicable) using the terms and definitions of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group. In addition, three authors reviewed together all available digital ultrasound images and described them using subjective evaluation of gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasound findings.We identified 79 women with a histological diagnosis of primary tubal cancer, 70 of whom (89%) had serous carcinomas and 46 (58%) of whom presented at FIGO stage III. Forty-nine (62%) women were asymptomatic (incidental finding), whilst the remaining 30 complained of abdominal bloating or pain. Fifty-three (67%) tumors were described as solid at ultrasound examination, 14 (18%) as multilocular solid, 10 (13%) as unilocular solid and two (3%) as unilocular. No tumor was described as a multilocular mass. Most tumors (70/79, 89%) were moderately or very well vascularized on color or power Doppler ultrasound. Normal ovarian tissue was identified adjacent to the tumor in 51% (39/77) of cases. Three types of ultrasound appearance were identified as being typical of tubal carcinoma using pattern recognition: a sausage-shaped cystic structure with solid tissue protruding into it like a papillary projection (11/62, 18%); a sausage-shaped cystic structure with a large solid component filling part of the cyst cavity (13/62, 21%); an ovoid or oblong completely solid mass (36/62, 58%).A well vascularized ovoid or sausage-shaped structure, either completely solid or with large solid component(s) in the pelvis, should raise the suspicion of tubal cancer, especially if normal ovarian tissue is seen adjacent to it.

This study was undertaken to determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the preoperative staging of patients with clinically localised cervical cancer eligible for less extensive surgery.Fifty-three patients with biopsy-proven carcinoma of the uterine cervix and eligible for conservative surgery prospectively underwent MR imaging. Images were assessed for tumour site and size, infiltration of the cervical stroma, infiltration of vaginal fornices and relationship between the tumour and the internal os of the endocervical canal and the presence and dimensions of pelvic and lumboaortic lymph nodes (cutoff values 1 cm and 0.5 cm minimum axial diameter). MR imaging data were compared with the histopathological findings.The endocervix was the site of origin of 25% (13/53) of the cervical tumours and the exocervix the site of origin of 75% (40/53). In the assessment of cervical stroma infiltration, there was agreement between MR imaging and histopathology in 75% of cases. MR imaging had 67% sensitivity, 92% specificity and 91% diagnostic accuracy in assessing infiltration of the vaginal fornices. In the evaluation of the infiltration of the internal os, MR imaging had 86% sensitivity, 93% specificity and 92% accuracy. In the assessment of the lymph nodes, when using a cutoff value of 1 cm, MR imaging had a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 28%, 100% and 89%, respectively. With a cutoff value of 0.5 cm, MR imaging had a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 33%, 92% and 83%, respectively.MR imaging had a high level of accuracy in the preoperative assessment of the extent of cervical tumour in patients eligible for conservative surgery. Accuracy is lower in the evaluation of the pelvic and lumboaortic lymph nodes.

Two cases of primary cellular fibroblastic tumor of the ovary are described, which presented a challenging clinical and histopathological differential diagnosis of primary ovarian fibrosarcoma and mitotically active cellular fibroma. On sonographic evaluation they both appeared as solid lesions with irregular margins, and on histological analysis both showed a count of 5-7 mitotic figures per 10 high-power fields. Histopathological examination of the first case was characterized by the presence of hemorrhage, necrosis and severe nuclear atypia, with a metastatic peritoneal lesion, and the eventual diagnosis was primary ovarian fibrosarcoma. The second case, however, was diagnosed as a 'mitotically active cellular fibroma' owing to the lack of substantial severe cellular atypia, hemorrhage or necrosis. We speculate that ovarian fibrosarcoma at the preoperative examination might be considered in the differential diagnosis whenever a unilateral, heterogeneous, largely round solid ovarian lesion is detected.