Role of Ultrasonography and MR Spectroscopy in evaluation of ovarian lesions

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies and is a leading cause of death in females. It is considered the fifth most common cause of cancer death in womenBoth transabdominal and transvaginal sonography are well established methods for examining the female pelvis. In fact, US remains the principal initial imaging study in the work-up of gynecologic disease. It is both safe and relatively inexpensive. Currently, the potential role of US in gynecologic imaging includes lesion characterization of ovarian massesThe primary advantage of MRI in evaluating ovarian masses is its high tissue contrast. The presence of fat, hemorrhage, mucin, fluid, and solid tissue within ovarian masses can be determined by using MRIMagnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive method that utilizes the same hardware as MRI. It provides information about the biochemical metabolism which is useful in characterization and differentiation of ovarian tumoursIn-vitro proton magnetic resonance spectrum shows significantly different metabolites concentrations between benign and malignant ovarian cysts. In the latter, higher levels of lactate, isoleucine, valine and 3-hydroxybutylic acid, methionine and alanine are detected.