Color Doppler energy prediction of malignancy in adnexal masses using logistic regression models

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of color Doppler energy in the preoperative diagnosis of ovarian malignancy using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Methods One hundred and thirty adnexal masses were studied with transvaginal B‐mode, color energy, and pulsed Doppler ultrasonography before surgery in order to develop a model that could be used to determine malignancy. Each ultrasonographic variable (tumor size, wall thickness, septal structure, echogenicity, papillary projection, density (solid or not)) was included individually or combined together as part of the Sassone ultrasound score. Intratumoral blood flow velocity waveforms were obtained to determine pulsatility index and resistance index and a more subjective parameter, location of tumor vascularity, was also assessed. Menopausal status and serum CA 125 levels were also entered as categorical variables. Sonographic parameters were entered alone, then associated with menopausal status and CA 125 serum levels, and finally with Doppler energy measurements. Our model was then validated in a group of 68 adnexal masses and compared to the model of Alcazar. Results Eighteen adnexal masses (13.8%) were malignant or of low malignant potential. Multivariate analysis showed that papillary projection of the tumor wall, cyst with solid parts, resistance index with a cut‐off value of 0.53, CA 125, and central blood flow location, were the only factors to be independent predictors of malignancy. Menopausal status was not an independent factor. For the final model including the Doppler energy parameter the best sensitivity and specificity were 83% and 93%, respectively, at a cut‐off value of 10% probability of malignancy compared to 83% and 87% for the morphological variables alone. Validation of the model showed its diagnostic performance to be as good as that reported in the original population and better than the model of Alcazar. Conclusion Sonographic analysis of adnexal masses including color Doppler energy shows the best predictive properties according to histological diagnosis, and improves preoperative diagnosis of malignancy. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology