Localization of blood vessels and qualitative assessment of blood flow in ovarian tumors

To study the localization of blood vessels within a tumor and the shape of the flow curve as a method of assessing ovarian neoplasms. We studied 39 patients with malignant tumors and 63 patients with benign ovarian tumors by means of vaginal color Doppler ultrasound, noting the localization of blood vessels in the tumors, the shape of the flow curve, and peripheral resistance. Blood vessels could be visualized in 95% of the malignant tumors and in 70% of the benign tumors. Blood vessels tended to be localized centrally (65 versus 5%) in malignant tumors and peripherally in benign tumors (65 versus 0%). A diastolic notch was seen in 89% of the benign tumors, but in none of the malignant tumors. The mean resistance index (RI) ± standard deviation was 0.48 ± 0.19 in malignant and 0.69 ± 0.09 in benign tumors ( P < .05). The corresponding values for the pulsatility index (PI) were 0.56 ± 0.13 and 1.06 ± 0.07, respectively (P < .01). Low RI and PI values are general indicators of tumor growth. The localization of blood vessels within an ovarian tumor and the presence or absence of a diastolic notch are the most useful variables in the evaluation of ovarian tumors.