The role of ultrasound and Doppler analysis in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

Relationship between the follicular distribution pattern of polycystic ovaries and the degree of menstrual disturbance and serum sex steroid levels

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the associations between follicular distribution pattern (FDP) in polycystic ovaries and menstrual disturbances in women with infertility.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of patients was performed (n=73). Ultrasound images from cycle day 2-5 of a spontaneous or progestin induced menstrual cycle were reviewed. Ovaries were classified as polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) if they contained ≥12-follicles measuring 2-9 mm in diameter. Images of PCOM ovaries were classified as having a peripheral cystic pattern (PCP) with follicles arranged at the periphery of the ovary, or general cystic pattern (GCP) if follicles were dispersed heterogeneously throughout the ovarian stroma. Menstrual disturbance was assessed by questionnaire, and oligomenorrhea was defined as cycles >35 days in length.

Results:

PCP was more strongly associated with menstrual irregularity that GCP. 94% of subjects with bilateral PCP-experienced oligomenorrhea compared with 65% of women with a unilateral PCP ovary [odds ratio (OR) 9; p<0.05]. 29% of women with bilateral GCP ovaries experienced menstrual disturbances, less than bilateral PCP (OR 36; p=0.002), but similar to unilateral PCP (OR 3; p=0.07). Serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were significantly correlated with the ovarian FDP.

Conclusion:

There is a relationship between menstrual irregularity or certain types of serum steroids and ovarian morphology. It remains unknown if morphology, testosterone or LH causes the menstrual disturbance or if they are co-initiated by an intervening factor.

Sonographic evaluation of polycystic ovaries

The morphological features of the ovaries in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been well described by ultrasound imaging technology. These include enlarged ovary size, multiple small follicles of similar size, increased ovarian stromal volume and echogenicity, peripheral distribution of the follicles, and higher stromal blood flow. Ultrasound identification of the presence of polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) has been recognized as a component of PCOS diagnosis. With the advance of ultrasound technology, new definition has been proposed recently. There is, however, a paucity of data for the ovarian morphology in normal and PCOS adolescents. Magnetic resonance imaging has the potential to be an alternative imaging modality for diagnosing PCOM in adolescence.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical and imaging features

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder occurring in reproductive-age women. The syndrome is complex, multifactorial, and not always easily defined. Diagnosis is based upon a combination of clinical and biochemical criteria and ovarian morphology. The following review describes the clinical features, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and the role of imaging. Diagnostic imaging techniques are discussed, with emphasis on ultrasound as the main modality used worldwide. Contributions of 3-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound are addressed in addition to potential indications for magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of patients with suspected polycystic ovary syndrome.

The pathogenetic enigma of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disease with heterogeneous clinical and anatomical features that were first described in 1721 by Antonio Vallisneri. There is still a lack of consensus regarding the criteria to be used for diagnosis of PCOS. Transvaginal ultrasonography with Doppler studies of the ovarian and pelvic vasculature plays an important role in its diagnosis, but findings must be interpreted in light of the patient's symptoms and laboratory findings.

Contemporary medical therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a multi-system endocrinopathy with long-term metabolic and cardiovascular health consequences. Patients typically present due to symptoms of irregular menstruation, hair growth, or infertility; however, recent management options are aimed at further treating underlying glucose-insulin abnormalities as well as androgen excess for proactive control of symptoms. By a 2003 international consensus conference, diagnosis is made by two out of three criteria: chronic oligoovulation or anovulation after excluding secondary causes, clinical or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism (but not necessarily hirsutism due to inter-patient variability in hair follicle sensitivity), and radiological evidence of polycystic ovaries. Traditional medical treatment options include oral contraceptive pills, cyclic progestins, ovulation induction, and anti-androgenic medications (aldosterone antagonist, 5alpha-reductase antagonist, and follicle ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor). Recent pharmacotherapies include insulin-sensitizing medications metformin and two thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone/Avandia and pioglitazone/Actos), a CYP19 aromatase inhibitor (letrozole/Femara), and statins to potentially lower testosterone levels.

Female precocious puberty, obesity and polycystic-like ovaries

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the characteristics of obese girls with gonadotropin releasing hormone-dependent precocious puberty with and without polycystic-like ovaries.

METHODS

Forty-seven overweight (> 75(th) centile of the Italian reference data) girls with a diagnosis of isosexual precocious puberty underwent auxological analysis, hormonal assay and utero-ovarian sonographic and Doppler evaluation. On the basis of sonography the patients were subdivided into two groups, girls presenting normal ovaries (Group I; n = 31) and those with polycystic-like ovaries (Group II; n = 16).

RESULTS

The mean body weight was significantly higher (P = 0.003) in Group II than it was in Group I. In addition, the patients with polycystic-like ovaries fell within our definition of superobese (> or = 97(th) centile of the Italian reference data) in 44% of cases. The uterine and ovarian volumes were significantly greater in Group II compared with Group I patients. The Doppler evaluation showed intraparenchymal ovarian vascularization and low downstream impedance to flow in all patients in Group II.

CONCLUSIONS

Girls with precocious puberty and polycystic ovaries, compared with those without polycystic ovaries, have a higher incidence of body weight exceeding the 85(th) centile of the Italian reference data (obesity).

Ultrasound evaluation of PCO, PCOS and OHSS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the concomitant androgen excess may be particularly distressing and disruptive for women. Thus, PCOS requires a prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment. However, the criteria used for diagnosis and definition of PCOS are as heterogeneous as the pathology itself. The advent of ultrasonographic examination of the ovaries has provided the biggest single contribution to the diagnosis of PCOS, having a high concordance rate with laparoscopy and histological examination. In fact, the assessment of ovarian morphology by transvaginal ultrasound and Doppler flow analysis of both intra-ovarian and uterine arteries seems to provide an insight into the pathological state and the degree of progression of the disease, and may be useful in the prevention and management of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome during ovarian stimulation.