Fat-containing adnexal masses on MRI: solid tissue volume and fat distribution as a guide for O-RADS Score assignment

Abstract

Purpose: To explore ways to improve O-RADS MRI scoring for fat-containing adnexal masses, by investigating methods for quantifying solid tissue volume and fat distribution and evaluating their associations with malignancy.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included patients with fat-containing adnexal masses on MRI during 2008-2021. Two radiologists independently reviewed overall size (Size_overall), size of any solid tissue (Size_anysolid), size of solid tissue that was not Rokitansky nodule (Size_{non-Rokitansky}), and fat distribution. Wilcoxon test, Fisher-exact test, and ROC curve analysis were performed. Reference standard was pathology or follow-up > 24 months.

Results: 188 women (median age 35 years) with 163 benign and 25 malignant lesions were included. Size_overall (R1, 9.9 cm vs 5.9 cm; R2, 12.4 cm vs 6.0 cm), Size_anysolid (R1, 5.1 cm vs 1.2 cm; R2, 3.2 cm vs 0.0 cm), Size_{non-Rokitansky} (R1, 5.1 cm vs 0.0 cm; R2, 3.1 cm vs 0.0 cm), and fat distribution differed significantly between malignant and benign lesions (p < 0.01). Area under ROC curve was greatest using Size_{non-Rokitansky} (R1, 0.83; R2, 0.86) vs Size_overall (R1, 0.78; R2, 0.81) or Size_anysolid (R1, 0.79; R2, 0.81), though differences were non-significant (p = 0.48-0.93). Cutoffs for Size_{non-Rokitansky} (R1, ≥ 1.2 cm; R2, ≥ 1.0 cm) yielded sensitivity and specificity of 0.72 and 0.93 (R1) and 0.76 and 0.95 (R2). Among immature teratomas, 85.7% displayed scattered fat.

Conclusion: Overall size, size of (any or non-Rokitansky-nodule) solid tissue, and fat distribution differed between benign and malignant fat-containing adnexal masses. Incorporating these would constitute simple and practical approaches to refining O-RADS MRI scoring.

Keywords: Fat; Magnetic resonance imaging; O-RADS; Ovary; Teratoma.