Computed tomography of ovarian carcinoma

Forty-seven patients with ovarian carcinoma were examined with computed tomography (CT). Fourteen were evaluated before laparotomy (group I), 25 following surgical treatment (group II), and 8 were followed by CT in the course, or following chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy (group III). CT provided accurate estimates of the size, shape and structure of the ovarian tumor in 8 patients in group I and contributed to diagnosis in 3 others. Primary ovarian tumors were incorrectly diagnosed in 3 cases. CT examination was valuable for detection of metastases in the mesenterium, omentum, peritoneum, abdominal organs and lymph nodes. The detection of small (1 cm diameter) metastatic implants on the peritoneal surface, omentum and liver capsule was facilitated by the presence of ascites. CT proved useful for patient follow-up, either after surgical treatment or when chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy was used.