Value of transvaginal color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of malignant ovarian teratoma

Objective To evaluate the transvaginal color Doppler sonography and serum AFP in the preoperative diagnosis of malignant ovarian teratoma. Methods A total of 465 patients with teratoma, among whom 13 with immature teratoma and 3 with malignant change in benign ovary teratoma, were enrolled in the study from 2000 to 2005. The imaging features and the blood flow index were observed by transvaginal color Doppler sonography. The serum AFP was measured in part of cases. Results The accuracy rate of diagnosis with transvaginal color Doppler sonography for malignant ovarian teratoma was 62.5% (10/16). The positive rate of serum AFP of immature teratoma was 66.7%. Conclusions Transvaginal color Doppler sonography is a powerful tool in diagnosis of malignant ovarian teratoma. Serum AFP can be used as a parameter in differential diagnosis of immature teratoma, malignant change in benign ovary teratoma and yolk sac tumor.