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MR findings for differentiating decidualized endometriomas from seromucinous borderline tumors of the ovary

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Abstract

Purpose

Decidualized endometriomas (DEs) and seromucinous borderline tumors (SMBTs) exhibit similar MR findings including markedly hyperintense mural nodules within endometriotic cysts on T2-weighted images. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of MR imaging for differentiating between DEs and SMBTs of the ovary.

Materials and methods

MR images of 8 DEs and 14 SMBTs were retrospectively assessed and compared according to pathologies.

Results

With regard to quantitative assessments of mural nodules, the number and signal intensity ratios (SIRs) on T1-weighted images were significantly greater in DEs than in SMBTs (11.0 ± 8.4 vs. 4.3 ± 4.1, p < 0.05 and 2.36 ± 0.56 vs. 1.49 ± 0.27, p < 0.01, respectively), whereas the height was significantly lower in DEs than in SMBTs (4.5 ± 1.4 mm vs. 21.9 ± 11.4 mm, p < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences between DEs and SMBTs in the SIRs on T2-weighted images, SIRs on diffusion-weighted images, and apparent diffusion coefficient values. With regard to qualitative assessments of mural nodules, the lobulated margin, pedunculated configuration, and T2 hypointense core were significantly more frequent in SMBTs than in DEs (71% vs. 0%, p < 0.01; 86% vs. 0%, p < 0.01; and 43% vs. 0%, p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion

The number, height, SIRs on T1-weighted images, lobulated margin, pedunculated configuration, and T2 hypointense core of mural nodules within endometriotic cysts were useful MR findings for differentiating DEs from SMBTs.

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Funding

No funding was received for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Gifu University School of Medicine, 1-1Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan

    Tomohiro Ando, Hiroki Kato, Masaya Kawaguchi, Fuminori Hyodo & Masayuki Matsuo

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan

    Tatsuro Furui & Ken-ichirou Morishige

Authors
  1. Tomohiro Ando
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  2. Hiroki Kato
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  3. Masaya Kawaguchi
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  4. Tatsuro Furui
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  5. Ken-ichirou Morishige
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  6. Fuminori Hyodo
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  7. Masayuki Matsuo
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Correspondence to Hiroki Kato.

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Ando, T., Kato, H., Kawaguchi, M. et al. MR findings for differentiating decidualized endometriomas from seromucinous borderline tumors of the ovary. Abdom Radiol 45, 1783–1789 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-020-02412-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-020-02412-x

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