The American College of Radiology’s (ACR) Ovarian-Adnexal Imaging Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) Committee, chaired by Rochelle Andreotti, M.D., Professor of Clinical Radiology and Radiological Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology, published its first manuscript, “Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting Lexicon for Ultrasound: A White Paper of the ACR Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System Committee.”
The manuscript, published last month in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, outlines a framework for describing ultrasound (US) imaging characteristics of ovarian/adnexal masses. A similar white paper describing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of ovarian/adnexal masses will follow soon. Ultimately, the goal is to apply both lexicons to a risk stratification and management system, and to implement them in clinical practice.
“The use of internationally agreed upon standardized descriptors should result in consistent interpretations and decrease, or eliminate, ambiguity in reports,” said Dr. Andreotti. “The outcome will result in higher probability of a correct diagnosis and optimal patient management.”
The committee, comprised of radiologists specializing in US and MRI, gynecologists, as well as gynecologic oncologists and pathologists, met last year to discuss and present insights and data for the lexicon.
Based upon consensus of the committee, the lexicon takes into consideration supporting evidence for performance of terms with regards to classification of the mass as benign or malignant, and common usage of terms. A significant part of the lexicon, including the major classes of lesions, is based upon terms and descriptors utilized by the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Group (IOTA), whose members have compiled decades of data based upon ovarian lesion characterization.
According to Dr. Andreotti, the IOTA terms outlined in the new lexicon demonstrate consistency regarding performance in evaluation of malignancy risk, and have been supplemented with other modifying, non-IOTA descriptors. Some of the terms are synonyms to IOTA descriptors that have also been added for user familiarity.
The manuscript is the first of four expected publications related to the lexicon. Dr. Andreotti anticipates that the system will be implemented following the publication of the US and MRI Risk Stratification and Management systems next year. Once implemented, O-RADS will be among the 10 ACR reporting and data systems that standardize how physicians describe findings in patient reports.
For additional information, and to review the O-RADS Ultrasound Lexicon Module, click here.
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Dr. Andreotti will present the O-RADS-US Lexicon at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department Grand Rounds on Sept. 21, 2018. Interested radiologists are encouraged to attend.
