Color Doppler sonography of ovarian masses: a multiparameter analysis.

This study analyzed vessel location, maximum systolic velocity, impedance, and waveform shape in 25 benign and 25 malignant surgically excised and pathologically examined ovarian masses as depicted by transvaginal or transabdominal color Doppler sonography, or both. Those parameters that achieved statistical significance (P > 0.05) between the two types of masses included vessel location, impedance, and waveform shape. Malignant masses typically were characterized by centrally located vessels that had low impedance without a diastolic "notch" in the waveform. Maximum systolic velocities are statistically similar in benign and malignant lesions. Multiparameter analysis may improve the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of this technique in distinguishing benign from malignant ovarian masses.