Objective: To assess the accuracy of Doppler ultrasound (DU) compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in high-risk patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).
Study design: From January 2005 to October 2007, patients with proven high-risk GTN or suspicion of relapse who had both DU and MRI of the pelvis were reviewed retrospectively for tumor detection and tumor extent and vascularity.
Results: There were a total of 54 patients who had both DU and MRI performed; of these, 40 were first-time presentation and 14 had either residual disease not responding to chemotherapy or suspicion of recurrent GTN based on rising human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Extrauterine extension and extent of endometrial encroachment were better assessed on MRI than on DU in 10 of 46 patients with visible uterine lesion.
Conclusion: MRI and DU are complementary investigations of the pelvis in patients with GTN. Tumor vascularity is better assessed on DU, tumor extension and detection are better with MRI.