The aim of the study was to analyse accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ovarian masses, and to compare ultrasonographic examination with post-operative assessment. Study material consisted of 92 patients examined in the Ultrasonography Laboratory of Central Teaching Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, in the years 1991-1994. Pathological lesions in uterine appendages were suspected in all the patients, and the diagnosis was verified after operation. All the patients were subject to the examination of abdominal cavity through abdominal integument as well as to transvaginal ultrasonographic investigation of sexual organs. Control group was formed of 170 patients with the diagnosis other than ovary tumour, established in our laboratory. Their ovaries were depicted and measured. Control group patients underwent operations which revealed no macroscopic or histopathological changes in the ovaries. ALOKA 630 ultrasonographic unit with transabdominal probes - curved transducer 5 MHz, linear transducer 3.5 MHz and transvaginal probe 5 MHz were used in the study. The following were analysed: patients' age, agreement between ultrasonographic evaluation and post-operative assessment with respect to the location, size, capsule appearance, internal structure, the presence of septa and excrescences of ovarian masses and hydroperitoneum. On the basis of analysed material, the following conclusions were drawn: 1. Transvaginal ultrasonography allows for a highly accurate determination of the location, size, capsule appearance, internal structure, the presence of septa in ovarian masses and hydroperitoneum. 2. Diagnostic value of ultrasonographic visualisation for the assessment of the presence of ovarian masses and particular elements of their structure ranges between 73% to 100%.

Keywords: ovary-ultrasonography, ovarian masses