Three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of ovarian masses

Seventy-six women with ovarian masses first detected with two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound were then evaluated with three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Two-dimensional ultrasound detected four of five ovarian malignancies. One additional ovarian carcinoma was diagnosed by 3D scanning. Observation of papillary projections, characteristics of cystic walls, and the extent of capsular infiltration of tumors was superior with 3D ultrasound as was the calculation of ovarian volume. Fifty-seven of the women studied underwent surgery within 7 days of 3D ultrasound evaluation. Histologic examination of surgical specimens confirmed the 3D sonographic diagnoses. There was one false positive and one false negative diagnosis with 2D ultrasound. All cases of ovarian malignancy were diagnosed correctly with 3D ultrasound.