To evaluate the correlation between three-dimensional histogram vascular indexes of ovarian tumors and microvessel density (MVD).

Fifty-seven patients with ovarian cystic-solid or solid masses from Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University were evaluated by three-dimensional (3D) power ultrasound within one week before surgery from January 2008 to December 2009. We captured 3D power imaging in the interested and solid areas of tumors, and used three-dimensional histogram from virtual organ computer-aid analysis (VOCAL) to calculate vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization-flow index (VFI). After operation the specimens underwent immunohistochemistry staining and MVD and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were calculated. Two independent-samples t tests were used to compare MVD between ovarian benign and malignant tumors. Rank sum test was used to compare VEGF. Spearman was used to analyze the relationship between 3D PD vascular indices and MVD.

Sixty-two ovarian masses in 57 patients were confirmed by pathology (5 cases were bilateral tumors), including 22 benign and forty malignant messes (including eight borderline tumors). Fifty-four tumors underwent immunohistochemistry staining. MVD and VEGF were calculated. Both of MVD and VEGF in ovarian malignant tumors were obviously higher than those in benign ones (t=-5.255, Z=-3.868, both P<0.01). Both of VI and VFI were positive correlative to MVD (r=0.295, 0.280, both P<0.05).

There was a positive correlation between vascular indexes and microvessel density. The vascular indexes could reflect the density of angiogenesis in ovarian tumors before surgery, and they could provide valuable information for early-stage diagnosis of ovarian cancer.