[The diagnosis of adnexal masses of a gynaecological nature using ultrasound: an analysis of the specificity and reliability of the examination (author's transl)].

A retrospective analysis has been carried out on 118 cases of gynaecological tumours of the adnexae. The reliability of ultrasound examination is about 90% for evaluating the existence, the size, the localisation and the structure of these masses. The principal mistakes occurred when the technique was poor, when the interpretation of the picture was faulty and when loops on intestine were in the way. It is possible to diagnose accurately simple ovarian cysts, dermoid cysts and adenocarcinomatous cysts. It is difficult to be specific as far as tubal pathology is concerned, and particularly in infections and ectopic pregnancies. Echotomography of the pelvis has become accepted among the battery of paraclinical gynaecological examinations. It has become of greatest importance in these examinations and particularly when exploring adnexal gynaecological masses. The purpose of this retrospective work has been to evaluate the reliability of ultrasound diagnosis of the nature and origin of masses.