Lerner et al developed an improved score for evaluating an ovarian mass using transvaginal ultrasonography. This is based on the score of Sassone et al (above). The authors are from Sloane Hospital for Women at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.
Parameters:
(1) wall structure
(2) shadowing
(3) septa and thickness
(4) echogenicity
Parameter
Finding
Points
wall structure
smooth-lined cyst
0
cyst with small irregularities < 3 mm
0
solid mass
2
cyst with papillations >= 3 mm
3
nonapplicable
2
shadowing
no
1
yes
0
septa and thickness
none
0
thin (< 3 mm)
0
thick (>= 3 mm)
1
echogenicity
sonolucent
0
low-level
0
echogenic core
0
mixed
3
high
3
total score =
= SUM(points for all 4 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 8
• A score < 3 is more often seen with a benign tumor (only 1 of 31 malignant tumors had this score).
• A score >= 3 usually indicates a malignant tumor (but 72 of 319 benign tumors had a score >= 3).
Performance:
• The sensitivity of the score was 97% but specificity 77%.
• The positive predictive value is only 30% but the negative predictive value is 99.6%
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
