Intraoperative consultation in ovarian pathology

Ovarian specimens are very commonly submitted for intraoperative consultation (frozen section diagnosis) in order to confirm the presence of malignancy, to give the surgeon all the information for the histologic type of the tumor and finally determine the extent of surgery. In most cases, intraoperative consultation regarding ovarian masses accurately determines the type of malignancy. The pathologist and the gynecologist must be aware of the applications, indications and limitations of frozen section. Despite its limitations, frozen section diagnosis represents a sensitive and specific technique that can play a very important role in the management of ovarian disease.