Role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in patients with ovarian masses

Fatima Mubarak, Muhammad Shahbaz Alam, Waseem Akhtar, Saima Hafeez, Noureen Nizamuddin
Radiology Department, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector 64-slice computed tomography (MDCT) in the diagnosis and differentiation of benign and malignant ovarian masses using histopathology and surgical findings as the gold standard.
Material and methods: This study was conducted in Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Data was reviewed retrospectively from 1 November 2008 to 12 December 2009. One hundred patients found to have ovarian masses on CT scan were included in the study. CT scan was performed in all these patients after administration of oral and IV contrast. Ovarian masses were classified as benign and malignant on scan findings. Imaging findings were compared with histopathologic results and surgical findings. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy of MDCT were calculated.
Results: MDCT was found to have 97% sensitivity, 91% specificity, and an accuracy of 96% in the differentiation of benign and malignant ovarian masses, while PPV and NPV were 97% and 91%, respectively.
Conclusion: MDCT imaging offers a safe, accurate and noninvasive modality to differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian masses.

Keywords: ovarian masses, surgery, MDCT