Diagnostic imaging analysis to differentiate struma ovarii from mucinous carcinomas, encompassing T2*-based imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging.

Abstract

Purpose: To clarify the differences between struma ovarii (SO) and mucinous carcinomas (MC) on CT and MRI, including T2*-based images, diffusion-weighted images (DWI), and time-intensity curve (TIC) patterns, which have not been previously reported.

Methods: We retrospectively compared the presence of low intensity on T2-weighted and T2*-based images, high intensity on T1-weighted images, hyperattenuation on non-contrast CT, TIC pattern, T2 ratio, T1 ratio, CT value, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in 15 patients with SO and 27 patients with MC.

Results: SO exhibited a significantly higher frequency of low intensity on T2-weighted and T2*-based images, and hyperattenuation on non-contrast CT than MC (P < 0.001, <0.001, and 0.006, respectively). The T2 ratios and CT attenuation of the locules were also significantly different (P < 0.001, and 0.006, respectively). In SO, sites of low intensity on T2-weighted and T2*-based images and sites of hyperattenuation on CT images always coincided. Regarding the TIC pattern, most SO showed a high-risk pattern, with a significant difference (P = 0.003). The ADC values of SO were significantly lower, and only one case of SO showed high signal intensity on DWI.

Conclusion: SO were more frequently with low intensity on T2-weighted and T2*-based images, and hyperattenuation on non-contrast CT, and showed high-risk TIC patterns without diffusion restriction.

Advances in knowledge: SO shows a high-risk TIC pattern, but can be specifically diagnosed in combination with the lack of diffusion restriction and loculi with marked hypointensity on T2-weighted and T2*-based images consistent with hyperattenuation on non-contrast CT.