Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced/DWI MRI and ultrasonography in the differentiation between benign and malignant myometrial tumors

• Published in: Annals of medicine and surgery 2021-10, Vol.70, p.102813-102813, Article 102813
• Main Authors: Najibi, Shaparak, Gilani, Mitra Modares, Zamani, Fatemeh, Akhavan, Setare, Zamani, Narges
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cross sectional; Cross-sectional Study; Diagnostic value; Malignant myometrial tumors; MRI; Test accuracy; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 2049-0801; 2049-0801
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102813

Various modalities including ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been developed as imaging technique for screening malignant myometrial tumors, but a few studies assessed the diagnostic value of these two techniques in differentiation of benign from malignant myometrial tumors that had been the main purpose of this study. This cross-sectional study was performed on 63 women underwent surgery for intrauterine masses that were initially assessed using MRI and ultrasound before surgery at a tertiary hospital in Tehran from 2016 to 2020. Their MRI was reviewed by a reputable radiologist in the field. The findings of histopathological assessment were considered as the gold diagnostic standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of MRI to detect sarcoma were revealed to be 94.6%, 92.3%, 94.6%, 92.3%, and 93.7% respectively. Ultrasonography had not preferable applicability to differentiate sarcoma from benign tumors with sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of 35.1%, 88.4%, 81.2%, 48.9%, and 57.1% respectively. The diagnostic performance of both modalities was not affected by baseline clinical conditions including pain, abnormal uterine bleeding and menopausal status. MRI but not ultrasonography can effectively differentiate benign from malignant myometrial tumors. •Pretreatment Diagnosis of malignant myometrial tumors may be challenging.•MRI with DWI can be considered as a diagnostic tool in leiomyosarcoma.•Pretreatment distinction between benign and malignant myometrial tumors is necessary.