Isabelle Thomassin-Naggara MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Marc J. Bazot MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Charles Andre Cuenod MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Emile Darai, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Patrice Callard MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Claude Jacques Marsault MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) for the characterization of ovarian epithelial tumors, and to correlate DCE MRI findings with angiogenesis biomarkers

Forty-one patients with epithelial ovarian tumors (12 benign, 13 borderline and 16 invasive) underwent DCE MRI before surgical excision. DCE MRI parameters (enhancement amplitude, time of half rising and maximal slope) were interpreted according to histopathological findings, namely microvessel density (MVD), the pericyte coverage index (PCI) and VEGFR-2 expression.

The enhancement amplitude was higher for invasive tumors than for benign (p<0.001) and borderline tumors (p=0.003). The time of half rising was longer for benign tumors than for borderline (p=0.002) and invasive tumors (p=0.001). The maximal slope was steeper for invasive tumors than for benign (p<0.0001) and borderline tumors (p=0.001). Among the different DCE MRI parameters, the maximal slope appears to be the most relevant for determining the nature of epithelial tumors. No difference in microvessel density was observed among the benign, borderline and invasive tumors. The PCI was lower in invasive tumors than in borderline and benign tumors. Microvessels showed significantly stronger immunochemical VEGFR-2 expression in invasive tumors than in the other two tumor types. No correlation was found between DCE MRI parameters and microvessel density. The amplitude of enhancement and the maximal slope correlated with a lower PCI and stronger VEGFR-2 expression.

The early enhancement pattern of ovarian epithelial tumors on DCE MRI can accurately distinguish among benign, borderline and invasive tumors. In addition, the enhancement parameters were found to correlate with tumor angiogenic status

Better pre-operative characterization of ovarian tumors as benign nor malignant can assist in optimizing surgical strategy

Thomassin-Naggara, I, Bazot, M, Cuenod, C, Darai, E, Callard, P, Marsault, C, Epithelial Ovarian Tumors: Value of Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging and Correlation with Tumor Angiogenesis.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5012676.html