Abstract: Ovarian cancer is a public health problem in Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to present the
challenges of medical imaging in the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian cancers in this context of countries with limited resources. This was a retrospective study carried out in the cancer department of the Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital in Ouagadougou. Patients in whom ovarian cancer was raised based on clinical, radiological and pathological arguments from January 2017 to December 2022 were included. The modalities, indications and results of the imaging examinations were analyzed. Fifty-two cases of ovarian cancer were identified. The medical imaging studies mentioned in the patients' files for the diagnosis and follow-up of ovarian tumours were CT scans (94.2%), ultrasound (57.7%), standard X-rays (42.3%) and MRI in eight cases. CT scans were performed as part of the preoperative work-up in 24 cases and postoperatively in 25 cases. The examination reports were not standardised; the writing style was free. The appearance of the lesion was mentioned in 14 cases (60.9%). No ultrasound report mentioned the use of the endovaginal route. The reports were not standardised; the writing style was free. The characteristics of the ovarian tumours were not mentioned in the ultrasound reports. Ovarian location was
reported in 47% of cases and extension to other pelvic organs in 20%. Chest X-rays were prescribed in addition to abdominopelvic ultrasound or CT scans, when diagnosing or monitoring ovarian tumours. No preoperative laparoscopy was performed.
The challenge of ovarian cancer imaging in a context of countries with limited resources lies in the efficient use of available imaging resources. Examination procedures and report writing should comply with good ovarian cancer imaging practice in order to optimise patient care.

Ovarian Cancer, Computed Tomography, Laparoscopy, Ultrasound, surgery