Solid Adnexal Masses - All you need to know
Philip Jarvis1, Diane De Friend2, 1Peninsula Radiology Academy, 2Imaging, Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust, Plymouth
Pelvic ultrasound is the most common technique used to assess adnexal masses and it is important for all practitioners to understand the sonographic features used to characterise adnexal masses. Benign adnexal masses are predominantly cystic although some e.g. dermoids and cystadenomas may have a solid component. Malignant epithelial neoplasms are usually largely cystic with a variable amount of solid tissue. Predominantly solid adnexal masses may be benign (e.g. fibroma) but include rare malignancies such as sex cord stromal tumours, malignant germ cell tumours and metastases. Solid extra-ovarian masses may also mimic ovarian pathology in the adnexa. Understanding the key identifying features of solid adnexal masses and potential pitfalls is therefore extremely valuable in everyday pelvic ultrasound. We present a pictorial review of predominantly solid adnexal masses and how their sonographic appearances are used to aid diagnosis.