CT diagnosis of ovarian endometrioma

Objective To improve the diagnostic accuracy of ovarian endometrioma and to discriminate it from other adnexal masses by analyzing its CT manifestations.Methods The CT images of 64 patients with 81 ovarian endometriomas proved by pathology were studied retrospectively.Results The cysts ranged in diameter from 2 to 12 cm with the mean size of 5.8 cm.The margins of the cyst were smooth in 14 and adhered with perimeter in 67 endometriomas.The density of the cyst fluid varied from 19-50 HU with the mean of 32 HU.It was found that 14 cysts walls showed slight or intermediate enhancement and 3 demonstrated significant enhancements.Conclusions The certain morphologic characteristics of the ovarian endometrioma can be showed by CT to higher extent.It is critical to be familiar with these characteristics to improve the diagnostic accuracy,and to avoid misdiagnosis.