Adnexal lesions are a common finding in women and pose a clinical challenge since ovarian cancer is a highly lethal disease. However, most adnexal masses are benign, benefiting from a more conservative approach. In preoperative assessment, transvaginal ultrasound plays a key role in evaluating morphologic features that correlate with the risk of malignancy. The acoustic shadow is the loss of echo behind sound-absorbing components, such as calcifications or fibrous tissues, which are predominantly found in benign lesions. However, recognizing the acoustic shadow is a difficult skill to master, and its usefulness may be underappreciated.
Keywords: acoustics; adnexal diseases; ovarian cysts; ovarian neoplasms; preoperative care; ultrasonography.
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.