Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Parameters in the Evaluation of Adnexal Masses with Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System Ultrasound

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether incorporating qualitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can increase the accuracy of adnexal lesion assessments with Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) ultrasound category 4 or 5.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with adnexal masses who underwent conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examinations between January and August of 2020. The study investigators reviewed and analyzed the morphological features of each mass before categorizing the US images independently according to the O-RADS system published by the American College of Radiology. In the CEUS analysis, the initial time and intensity of enhancement involving the wall and/or septation of the mass were compared with the uterine myometrium. Internal components of each mass were observed for signs of enhancement. The sensitivity, specificity, and Youden's index were calculated as the contrast variables and O-RADS.

Results: Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the best cutoff value was higher than O-RADS 4. When information on the extent of enhancement was applied to selectively upgrade O-RADS category 4 and selectively downgrade O-RADS category 5, the overall sensitivity increased to 90.2%, while the level of specificity (91.3%) remained the same.

Conclusion: Incorporating additional information from CEUS with respect to the extent of enhancement helped to improve the sensitivity of O-RADS category 4 and 5 masses without loss of specificity.

Keywords: Adnexal diseases; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Ovarian–Adnexal Reporting and Data System ultrasound; Sensitivity and specificity; Ultrasonography.