Preoperative evaluation of cystic teratoma: what does color Doppler add?

The aim of this prospective study lasting 4 years was to develop a scoring system using clinical parameters, sonographic findings, and transvaginal color and pulsed Doppler impedance values for the preoperative recognition of cystic teratoma. A total of 887 benign and malignant adnexal masses, among which 102 were histologically proved to be cystic teratomas, were evaluated. Using morphological criteria, cystic teratoma was successfully predicted in 95 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of a morphological scoring system were 93.1% and 99.4%, respectively, while positive and negative predictive values were 95.0% and 99.1%. A scoring system using both morphology and vascular assessment demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity (99.02%, 99.75%). The application of a scoring system combining morphology and vascularity improves the accuracy of diagnosing cystic teratoma and of separating this entity preoperatively from other benign and malignant ovarian conditions.