Real‐time ultrasound vs. evaluation of static images in the preoperative assessment of adnexal masses
Objective To determine if the prediction of the malignancy of an adnexal mass using pattern recognition, i.e. subjective evaluation of gray‐scale and Doppler ultrasound findings, is as accurate when based on static images as it is when based on a real‐time ultrasound examination. Methods The static...
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Published in | Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 828 - 831 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Chichester, UK
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
01.11.2008
Wiley |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Objective
To determine if the prediction of the malignancy of an adnexal mass using pattern recognition, i.e. subjective evaluation of gray‐scale and Doppler ultrasound findings, is as accurate when based on static images as it is when based on a real‐time ultrasound examination.
Methods
The static images of 166 non‐consecutive patients with ‘difficult’ adnexal masses, who all underwent surgery and for whom a histopathological diagnosis was available, were evaluated by three experts in gynecological ultrasound (‘image experts’). All ultrasound examinations had been performed and the static images saved by a fourth expert sonologist (‘real‐time’ sonologist). All four sonologists classified the adnexal masses as benign or malignant based on their subjective impression and stated with what degree of confidence their diagnosis was made. The diagnostic performance of the real‐time sonologist was compared with that of each of the three image experts and with that of the ‘consensus opinion’ of the image experts (i.e. the diagnosis suggested by at least two of the latter).
Results
The real‐time sonologist correctly predicted the diagnosis with an accuracy of 89% (148/166) vs. 85% (141/166) for the consensus opinion of static images (P = 0.0707). Equivalent values for sensitivity and specificity were 80% (56/70) vs. 83% (58/70) (P = 0.4142) and 96% (92/96) vs. 86% (83/96) (P = 0.0027), respectively.
Conclusions
The preoperative diagnosis of an adnexal mass made on the basis of a real‐time ultrasound examination is more precise than a diagnosis made on the basis of saved static ultrasound images. Evaluation of static images is associated with lower diagnostic specificity. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0960-7692 1469-0705 1469-0705 |
DOI: | 10.1002/uog.6214 |