OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of color Doppler ultrasonography as the predictor of malignant ovarian tumors and to compare the results with CA 125 levels and ultrasonographic morphological patterns. METHODS: We compared color Doppler ultrasound with sonographic findings and serum CA 125 levels for predicting ovarian malignancy in 16 patients with malignant and 12 patients with benign ovarian tumors. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in pulsatility index (PI) value of ovarian vessel between benign and malignant tumors (2.42 +/- 0.67 for benign and 1.35 +/- 0.78 for malignant, respectively, P < 0.01). The specificity of morphological findings and CA 125 was lower than that of PI measurements, but sensitivity was not different between the three methods. In addition, the combination of color Doppler and CA 125 or morphological assessments resulted in a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PI measurements by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound combined with CA 125 levels or morphological findings could be an accurate and appropriate screening method for ovarian tumors.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of color Doppler ultrasonography as the predictor of malignant ovarian tumors and to compare the results with CA 125 levels and ultrasonographic morphological patterns. METHODS: We compared color Doppler ultrasound with sonographic findings and serum CA 125 levels for predicting ovarian malignancy in 16 patients with malignant and 12 patients with benign ovarian tumors. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in pulsatility index (PI) value of ovarian vessel between benign and malignant tumors (2.42 +/- 0.67 for benign and 1.35 +/- 0.78 for malignant, respectively, P < 0.01). The specificity of morphological findings and CA 125 was lower than that of PI measurements, but sensitivity was not different between the three methods. In addition, the combination of color Doppler and CA 125 or morphological assessments resulted in a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PI measurements by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound combined with CA 125 levels or morphological findings could be an accurate and appropriate screening method for ovarian tumors.