Role of magnetic resonance imaging to differentiate between borderline and malignant serous epithelial ovarian tumors

Purpose We aimed to differentiate serous borderline ovarian tumors (SBOT) from serous epithelial ovarian carcinomas (SEOC) using morphological and functional MRI findings, to improve the patient management. Method We retrospectively investigated 24 ovarian lesions diagnosed with SBOT and 64 ovarian lesions diagnosed with SEOC. Additional to the demographic and morphological findings T2W signal intensity ratio, mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC mean ) and total apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC total ) values were analyzed and compared between two groups. Results Bilaterality, pelvic free fluid presence, serum CA-125 level (U/mL), presence of pelvic peritoneal implant were in favor of SEOC. Lower maximum size of solid component and solid size to maximum size ratio, dominantly cystic and solid-cystic appearance, exophytic growth pattern, presence of papiller projection and papillary architecture and internal branching pattern, higher T2W signal intensity ratio, ADC mean and ADC total values were in favor of SBOT. Conclusion Our study revealed that morphological and functional imaging findings were valuable in differentiating BSOT from SEOC.