Power Doppler in the assessment of pelvic masses in a low risk group

Discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses aids in optimising the management of women with pelvic tumours. A grading system incorporating grey-scale and power Doppler measurements might increase the accuracy of pre-operative assessment. The present study aimed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of a grading system including grey-scale and power Doppler findings. A total of 179 women who had undergone power Doppler Ultrasound for a pelvic mass between April 2001 and March 2003 were identified. Masses were surveyed by grey-scale and power Doppler and graded in relation to the estimated risk of malignancy. Clinicians were provided with the findings. The results were compared with the findings at surgery. A total of 74.3% were premenopausal. Some 94.4% (n = 169) had benign; 1.7% borderline and 3.9% malignant histology. A total of 69% underwent surgery. Specificity was 72.2 - 95.9%; sensitivity 55.6 - 88.9% and negative predictive value 97.6 - 99.2%. Power Doppler as an additional diagnostic aid may help the clinician in the management of pelvic masses. Further research is needed to clarify sensitivity and specificity.