Sonography of Adnexal Masses

Ultrassonografia nas massas anexiais: aspectos de imagem

“…Fibromas are the most common benign solid neoplasias of the ovaries. They may be found at any age, however their incidence is higher in middle-aged patients (14) . At ultrasonography they are visualized as solid, hypoechoic and homogeneous images, with the possibility of presenting with acoustic beam attenuation.…”

“…Endometriomas are homogeneous and well delimited structures, with low to median echogenic density contents, and may commonly present septations. Presentations with hyperechoic walls or nodulations (13)(14)(15) are described. Endometriomas may present with an avascular calcified solid component, with the presence of pos-terior attenuation or acoustic shadow.…”

“…Endometriomas may present with an avascular calcified solid component, with the presence of pos-terior attenuation or acoustic shadow. In the presence of solid or mixed components they may be confused with hemorrhagic cysts or neoplasia, but differ from these because of the more homogeneous echogenic pattern ( Figure 8) (1,(13)(14)(15) .…”

“…Usually, ultrasonography reveals echogenic, thin walled multiloculated cystic mass, with echographic content that may vary according to the presence of variable amounts of blood or protein in its interior. Such possible differences in density of the cystic content confer various echogenic presentations in multiple compartments (14,16) . The presence of variable echogenic contents in a multiloculated adnexal cystic mass is suggestive of mucinous cystadenoma (Figure 11) (14) .…”

“…Typical sonographic findings are the presence of focal or diffuse high-amplitude echoes, areas with posterior acoustic beam attenuation, and visualization of hyperechogenic lines and spots within the mass (Figure 13). In mature cystic teratomas, such heterogeneous findings translate into the presence of calcified tissues similar to bones and teeth, hair and fat tissue (2,7,14,16,17) .…”