An algorithm including results of gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasound examination to predict endometrial malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding.

Elisabeth Epstein, L Skoog, Per-Erik Isberg, F De Smet, B De Moor, Per Åke Olofsson, Saemundur Gudmundsson, Lil Valentin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if power Doppler ultrasound examination of the endometrium can contribute to a correct diagnosis of endometrial malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrium >/= 5 mm. METHODS: Eighty-three women with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrium >/= 5 mm underwent gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasound examination using predetermined, standardized settings. Suspicion of endometrial malignancy at gray-scale ultrasound examination (endometrial morphology) was noted, and the color content of the endometrium at power Doppler examination was estimated subjectively (endometrial color score). Computer analysis of the most vascularized area of the endometrium was done off-line in a standardized manner. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine which subjective and objective ultrasound and power Doppler variables satisfied the criteria to be included in a model to calculate the probability of endometrial malignancy. RESULTS: Endometrial thickness, vascularity index (vascularized area/endometrial area), and use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) satisfied the criteria to be included in the model used to calculate the 'objective probability of endometrial malignancy'. Endometrial morphology, endometrial color score and HRT use satisfied the criteria to be included in the model to calculate the 'subjective probability of malignancy'. Endometrial thickness >/= 10.5 mm had a sensitivity with regard to endometrial cancer of 0.88 and a specificity of 0.61. At a fixed sensitivity of 0.88, the specificity of the 'objective probability of malignancy' (0.81) was superior to all other ultrasound and power Doppler variables (P = 0.001-0.02). The 'objective probability of malignancy' detected more malignancies at endometrium 5-15 mm than endometrial morphology (5/7 vs. 1/7, i.e. 0.71 vs. 0.14; P = 0.125) with a similar specificity (49/57 vs. 51/57, i.e. 0.86 vs. 0.89). CONCLUSION: Power Doppler ultrasound can contribute to a correct diagnosis of endometrial malignancy, especially if the endometrium measures 5-15 mm. The use of regression models including power Doppler results to estimate the risk of endometrial cancer deserves further development.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)370-376
JournalUltrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume20
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002

Bibliographical note

The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: Biomedical Engineering, Malmö (013025010), Department of Statistics (012014000), Pathology (Malmö) (013031000), Obstetrics and Gynaecology (013242700), Obstetric, Gynaecological and Prenatal Ultrasound Research Unit (013242720), Research Unit for Urogynaecology and Reproductive Pharmacology (013242710), Emergency medicine/Medicine/Surgery (013240200)

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

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