The O-RADS system is system for standardised reporting of ovarian and adnexal imaging. It is part of a family of reporting and data systems (RADS) published by the American College of Radiology

O-RADS was initially designed for sonographic study only, but was later extended to include MRI. The system outlines six risk categories, O-RADS (US or MRI) 0-6. Strictly speaking O-RADS 0 denotes an incomplete or inconclusive study so 5 risk categories is perhaps more accurate.

  • O-RADS 0: Incomplete evaluation
  • O-RADS 1: Normal ovary
  • O-RADS 2: Almost certainly benign (<1% risk of malignancy)
  • O-RADS 3: Low risk (1-9% risk of malignancy)
  • O-RADS 4: Intermediate risk (10-49% risk of malignancy)
  • O-RADS 5: High risk (>50% risk of malignancy)

O-RADS (US)

O-RADS US 1

Physiological; follicle or corpus luteum ≤3cm.

O-RADS US 2

  • Simple cysts or non-simple smooth unilocular or bilocular cysts <10cm.
  • So called classical benign lesions <10cm (or any size for extraovarian lesions).

O-RADS US 3

  • Cysts or classical benign lesions ≥10cm.
  • Smooth multilocular cysts <10cm without very strong doppler flow.
  • Some solid lesions with shadowing and without strong doppler flow.

O-RADS 4

  • Irregular bilocular cysts without solid components
  • Multilocular cysts ≥10cm without strong doppler flow, or those or any size with very strong doppler flow.
  • Cysts with solid components and minimal doppler flow.
  • Solid, non-shadowing lesions without strong doppler flow.

O-RADS 5

  • Everything else…
  • Unilocular cysts with ≥ papillary projections or solid components.
  • Bilocular or multilocular cysts with solid components and strong doppler flow.
  • Solid lesions with strong doppler flow or irregularity
  • Ascites
  • Peritoneal nodules

Further reading

  • O-RADS™ US v2022 — Assessment Categories. American College of Radiology; 2022 Nov. Link
  • Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting & Data System (O-RADS™). American College of Radiology. Link