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Emergency Radiology
Published in:

09-07-2022 | Computed Tomography | Original Article

CT Imaging Findings in Patients with Ovarian Cancer and Acute Abdominal Symptoms: Experience at a Tertiary Cancer Center

Authors: Maria El Homsi, Natally Horvat, David P. Woodlock, Abdallah Araji, H. Alberto Vargas, David D. B. Bates

Published in: Emergency Radiology | Issue 6/2022

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with ovarian cancer presenting to a comprehensive cancer center’s urgent care unit with acute abdominal symptoms.

Methods

This retrospective study included consecutive patients with ovarian cancer who underwent abdominal CT at a comprehensive cancer center’s urgent care unit between January 1, 2018, and January 14, 2020, due to acute abdominal symptoms. Two abdominal radiologists reviewed the abdominal CT reports, categorizing imaging findings as follows: (a) no new or acute finding, (b) new or increased bowel or gastric obstruction, (c) new or increased ascites, (d) new or increased peritoneal carcinomatosis, (e) new or increased nonperitoneal metastases, (f) new inflammatory or infectious changes, (g) new or increased hydronephrosis, (h) new or increased biliary dilatation, (i) new vascular complications, or (j) new bowel perforation.

Results

A total of 200 patients (mean age, 59 years; range, 22–87) underwent a total of 259 abdominal CT scans, of which 217/259 (83.8%) scans were found to have new or increased findings. A total of 115/259 (44.4%) scans had only one finding while 102/259 (39.4%) scans had 2 or more findings. Altogether, 382 new or increased findings were detected: findings were most commonly related to bowel or gastric obstruction (92/382, 24.1%) with small bowel obstruction being the most common finding (80/382, 20.9%); ascites (78/382, 20.4%); peritoneal carcinomatosis (62/382, 16.2%); and nonperitoneal metastases (62/382, 16.2%). Inflammatory or infectious findings accounted for 30/382 (7.9%) findings.

Conclusion

Most patients with ovarian cancer presenting with acute abdominal had relevant positive findings on abdominal CT, with small bowel obstruction being the most common finding.
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Metadata
Title
CT Imaging Findings in Patients with Ovarian Cancer and Acute Abdominal Symptoms: Experience at a Tertiary Cancer Center
Authors
Maria El Homsi
Natally Horvat
David P. Woodlock
Abdallah Araji
H. Alberto Vargas
David D. B. Bates
Publication date
09-07-2022
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Emergency Radiology / Issue 6/2022
Print ISSN: 1070-3004
Electronic ISSN: 1438-1435
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-022-02075-9

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