A comparison between ultrasound and gynecologic examination for detection of enlarged ovaries in a group of women at risk for ovarian carcinoma.

In order to evaluate the quality of ultrasound and gynecologic examination of the ovaries in women at risk for ovarian carcinoma, a group of 115 women all relatives to women with ovarian carcinoma, were examined. Although this small group of women was considered a risk group, no carcinoma was found. In premenopausal women 92% of the ovaries could be identified and measured using ultrasound. In postmenopausal women this figure was 87%, while only 30% could be identified at the gynecologic examination. This indicates that ultrasound examination of the ovaries is a much more reliable method for examining the ovary than gynecologic palpation.