Objective:

To analyze the ultrasonographic features of primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC)

and the reasons for missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis

and improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of PFTC.

Methods:

Clinical data and ultrasonographic images of 13 patients with pathologically confirmed PFTC were retrospectively analyzed from January 2017 to December 2022 in Shanghai Changning Maternity and Infant Health Hospital.

Results:

Seven (53.85%

7/13) cases were correctly diagnosed by preoperative ultrasonography

while five (38.46%

5/13) were misdiagnosed and one (7.69%

1/13) was missed diagnosed. The patients were classified according to ultrasound sonogram: type Ⅰ (1 case)

no abnormal ultrasonographic changes in the adnexal area. Type Ⅱ (2 cases)

the cystic adnexal mass with papillary projections

color Doppler flow imaging showed abundant blood flow inside the projections. Type Ⅲ (5 cases)

the sausage shaped complex adnexal mass showed clear boundary

the cystic area that lined along the fallopian tube was around or at the side of the solid part

color Doppler flow imaging showed abundant blood flow inside the solid part. Type Ⅳ (2 cases)

the sausage shaped hypoechoic adnexal mass showed clear boundary

color Doppler flow imaging showed abundant blood flow signal inside the mass. Type Ⅴ (3 cases)

the adnexal irregular hypoechoic adnexal masses with predominant solid components

single or multiple

color Doppler showed rich blood flow inside the tumor. Among 13 cases

one case of the type Ⅰ was missed in preoperative ultrasonography. The diagnostic accuracies were 100.0% in type Ⅱ

80.0% in type Ⅲ

and 50.0% in type Ⅳ respectively by preoperative ultrasonography. In type Ⅴ

the misdiagnosis rate was 100.0%.

Conclusion:

The diagnostic accuracies of preoperative ultrasonography are different in different types of PFTC. Although it tends to be missed or misdiagnosis when the lesion is small or in advanced stage such as in type Ⅰ and Ⅴ

typical ultrasonography imaging of PFTC has certain characteristics which is of great value for preoperative diagnosis. Furthermore

combining medical history with ultrasonography imaging can offer more details for the diagnosis of PFTC.