Serous surface papillary borderline ovarian tumors: sonographic features with clinicopathological correlation.

Serous surface papillary borderline ovarian tumor (SSPBOT) is a distinct subtype of serous borderline ovarian tumor (SBOT) characterized by solid tissue deposition confined to the ovarian surface. Because SSPBOT is rare, there are few published reports on the ultrasonographic features of this condition. In this retrospective study, we investigated 12 cases of SSPBOT. Ultrasound of SSPBOT showed grossly normal ovaries that were partially or wholly encased with tumor deposits confined to the surface, and clear demarcation between normal ovarian tissue and surrounding tumors. Doppler sonography demonstrated the fireworks sign in all cases of SSPBOT, as an intratumoral vascular bundle originating from the ovarian vessels and supplying hierarchical branching blood flow to the surrounding tumor. No patients with ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma showed these characteristic morphological and Doppler features. In our series, the firework sign appeared to be a characteristic feature of SSPBOTs. Utilization of this novel marker may help to identify correctly SSPBOT. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.