Imaging in gynecological disease (7): clinical and ultrasound features of Brenner tumors of the ovary

Objectives: To describe clinical and ultrasound features of Brenner tumors of the ovary. Methods: In this retrospective study, the databases of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis studies and one tertiary center were searched to identify patients who had undergone an ultrasound scan before surgery for an adnexal mass that proved to be a Brenner tumor. Twenty-eight patients with 29 Brenner tumors were included. Most tumors had been collected within the frame of the IOTA studies. An experienced ultrasound examiner reviewed available ultrasound images (available for 14 tumors) searching for a specific pattern of Brenner tumors. Results: Most patients were postmenopausal and asymptomatic. Twenty-four (83%) tumors were benign, two (7%) were borderline and three (10%) malignant. Most benign Brenner tumors (17/24, 71%) contained solid components and manifested no or minimal blood flow at Doppler examination (19/24, 79%). Information about calcifications was available for 15 benign Brenner tumors and in 13 (87%) calcifications were present. The five borderline and invasively malignant Brenner tumors contained solid components less often than the benign ones (3/5, 60%) and were more richly vascularized at Doppler examination. Information about calcifications was available for four malignant Brenner tumors and in three (75%) calcifications were present. Conclusion: We failed to demonstrate ultrasound features specific for Brenner tumors. A prospective study is needed to determine if ultrasound features of calcifications can discriminate between Brenner tumors and other types of ovarian tumor. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.