Interface vessels on color/power Doppler US and MRI: a clue to differentiate subserosal uterine myomas from extrauterine tumors

Abstract

Purpose: In subserosal myomas, vessels are often demonstrated between the masses and the uterus. This study was performed to assess the usefulness of demonstrating these vessels in differentiating subserosal myomas from extrauterine tumors on color or power Doppler US (CDUS/PDUS) and MRI.

Method: This retrospective study included 41 patients with subserosal myomas and 27 patients with solid extrauterine tumors. The incidence and shape of these vessels seen on CDUS/PDUS and MRI were compared in the myoma and extrauterine tumor groups.

Results: The interface vessels were demonstrated in 39 of 41 subserosal myomas (18 on CDUS/PDUS, 14 on MRI, 7 on both), whereas they were seen in only 3 of 27 extrauterine tumors (1 on CDUS/PDUS, 2 on MRI). These three extrauterine tumors were ovarian malignancies that directly invaded the uterus. The shapes of these interface vessels were 7 intervening, 12 crossing, and 20 mixed in the myoma group, whereas they were mixed in all three extrauterine tumor groups. The sensitivity/specificity of this finding in differentiating subserosal myomas and extrauterine tumors was 100/92%, 91/91%, and 95/89%, respectively, with CDUS/PDUS, MRI, and either CDUS/PDUS or MRI.

Conclusion: Observation of the interface vessels between the uterus and juxtauterine masses seems to be a useful clue in differentiating subserosal myomas from extrauterine tumors.