Ultrasonographic Visualization of the Ovaries to Detect Ovarian Cancer According to Age, Menopausal Status and Body Type
Edward J. Pavlik,
Emily Brekke,
Justin Gorski,
Lauren Baldwin-Branch,
Rachel Miller,
Christopher P. DeSimone,
Charles S. Dietrich,
Holly S. Gallion,
Frederick Rand Ueland,
John R. van Nagell
Affiliations
Edward J. Pavlik
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center-Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA
Emily Brekke
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
Justin Gorski
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center-Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA
Lauren Baldwin-Branch
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center-Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA
Rachel Miller
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center-Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA
Christopher P. DeSimone
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center-Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA
Charles S. Dietrich
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center-Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA
Holly S. Gallion
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center-Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA
Frederick Rand Ueland
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center-Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA
John R. van Nagell
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center-Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0293, USA
Because the effects of age, menopausal status, weight and body mass index (BMI) on ovarian detectability by transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) have not been established, we determined their contributions to TVS visualization of the ovaries. A total of 29,877 women that had both ovaries visualized on their first exam were followed over 202,639 prospective TVS exams. All images were reviewed by a physician. While visualization of both ovaries decreased with age, one or both ovaries could be visualized in two of every three women over 80 years of age. Around 93% of pre-menopausal women and ~69% of post-menopausal women had both ovaries visualized. Both ovaries were visualized in ~72% of women weighing over 300 lbs. and in ~70% of women with a BMI over 40. Conclusions: Age had the greatest influence on the visualization of the ovaries. The ovaries can be visualized well past the menopause. Body habitus was not limiting to TVS ovarian imaging, and TVS should be considered capable of imaging one or both ovaries in two of every three women over 80 years of age. Thus, older and obese patients remain good candidates for TVS exams.
