The diagnostic performance of the Gynecologic Imaging Reporting and Data System (GI-RADS) in adnexal masses

BACKGROUND: Adnexal masses, mostly benign, are common in the female genital system. However, adnexal masses are the leading cause of death among women with gynecologic cancer. Ultrasound is a common imaging method for diagnosing adnexal masses. Gynecologic Imaging Reporting and Data System (GI-RADS) is a useful diagnostic tool based on objective ultrasound features to diagnose the malignancy of the female genital system. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the ability of GI-RADS to differentiate adnexal masses. METHODS: Published articles were searched in PubMed, Medline, and Embase from 1990 to February 2020. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the curve (AUC) were estimated via the extracted data from the selected studies. RESULTS: Ten studies and 2,474 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity of selected studies was 0.95 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.94–0.97], and the pooled specificity was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.84–0.88). The pooled NLR and PLR were 0.06 (95% CI: 0.04–0.10), and 8.30 (95% CI: 4.93–13.97), respectively. Moreover, the pooled diagnostic odds ratio for GI-RADS was 174.59 (95% CI: 76.70–397.42), and the AUC was 0.9806. CONCLUSIONS: This research indicates that GI-RADS might be a valuable tool to distinguish malignancies from adnexal masses.