Value of Functional MRI in Evaluation of Ovarian Lesions

Abstract Background: Ovarian masses present a special diagnostic challenge when imaging findings cannot be categorized into benign or malignant pathology. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is currently used to evaluate ovarian tumors. Functional MRI techniques such as Diffusion Weighted MRI (DW-MRI), Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) are currently being evaluated as possible predictive and prognostic biomar-kers in the context of ovarian malignancy. Aim of Study: Differentiation between benign and malig-nant ovarian lesions by conventional MRI and assessing the role of functional MRI (f-MRI) as an advanced MRI technique for better differentiation. Patients and Methods: 30 patients with ovarian masses were included. Evaluation of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (f-MRI) in diagnosis of ovarian masses and differ-entiating the benign from malignant lesions in addition to conventional MRI sequences. Results: Our study included 30 patients with different ovarian lesions, 22 benign cases and 8 malignant cases proved by histopathology and laparoscopy, and the mean age was 40.37 years. Imaging all have increased the sensitivity, spe-cificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy from 72.7%, 66.7, 57.14%, 80%, 61.5% respectively for conventional MRI to 90.9%, 100%, 90.9%, 94.7%, 95% respectively for f-MRI. Conclusion: Combination of conventional MRI & f-MRI findings are problem-solving tool for confusing ovarian lesions, characterizing benign and malignant ovarian tumors.