Pre-operative evaluation of peritoneal deposits using multidetector computed tomography in ovarian cancer

In the management of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the identification of peritoneal deposits is the most important prognostic factor. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the role of multidetector CT (MDCT) in identifying peritoneal deposits pre-operatively.

38 previously untreated patients (median age 50 years; range 26-70 years) were evaluated with contrast-enhanced MDCT of the abdomen and pelvis. All CT scans were performed on a four-slice MDCT scanner with thin-slice image acquisition. Multiplanar coronal, sagittal or oblique images were constructed and all images were reviewed by at least two radiologists. The extent of disease was determined and mapped for all areas of the abdomen and pelvis. CT scans were reviewed and compared with surgical findings. Peritoneal deposits and thickening were separately noted for each of the nine segments of the abdomen and pelvis (i.e. bilateral hypochondria, bilateral lumbar, bilateral iliac fossa, epigastrium, umbilical region and hypogastrium) and were mainly used to determine the accuracy of MDCT in the depiction of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of CT in the detection of peritoneal deposits were similar to those reported in the literature. The most common anatomical sites to have peritoneal deposits were the pouch of Douglas (18 cases) and the right subdiaphragmatic region (18 cases).

Despite the improved scanning technology, image reconstruction and viewing ability of MDCT, its overall accuracy for the detection of peritoneal deposits is not significantly improved when compared with conventional CT; however, MDCT is useful in the assessment of disease at specific locations in the abdomen and pelvis.