Objective:

To investigate the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in the differential diagnosis of ovarian malignant and benign tumors.

Methods:

DCE-MRI data of 86 ovarian tumors with solid compositions (benign 15

malignant 71) confirmed by surgery and pathology were retrospectively analyzed. The patterns (Ⅰ

Ⅱ and Ⅲ) of time-intensity curve

(TIC) and three semi-quantitative parameters including enhancement amplitude (EA)

maximal slope (MS) and time of half rising (THR) were evaluated and compared between ovarian benign and malignant tumors.

Results:

Among malignant ovarian tumors

59 (83%) were type Ⅲ

12 (17%) were type Ⅱ

and no type Ⅰ. Among benign ovarian tumors

5 (33%) were typeⅠ

10 (67%) were type II

and no type Ⅲ. There was significant difference in TIC pattern between benign and malignant tumors (

P

0.001). The mean values of EA and MS in malignant ovarian tumors were significantly higher than those in benign tumors [(267.486.2)

vs

. (220.290.5)

(11.06.3)

vs

. (6.14.7);

P

=0.05 and

P

0.001

respectively

]

. Whereas the mean value of THR in malignant tumors was significantly lower than that in benign tumors [(32.87.6) s

vs

. (55.515.4) s;

P

0.001

]

. THR was the best diagnostic indicator among three semiquantitative parameters

and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 89%. When the cutoff value of THR was 45 s

the sensitivity

specificity

accuracy

positive and negative predictive values were 94%

80%

92%

96% and 75%

respectively.

Conclusion:

TIC patterns and semi-quantitative parameters of DCE-MRI are helpful in distinguishing malignant from benign ovarian tumors.