Ultrasound prediction of follicle volume: is the mean diameter reflective?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between 2 dimensional sonographic measurement of ovarian follicles and their actual volume.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
The in vitro fertilization (IVF) program of a University based, tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
Sonographic categorization by shape, and measurement of 96 individual ovarian follicles immediately prior to aspiration for IVF. Each follicle was aspirated under direct ultrasound guidance and the volume recorded. The 96 follicles were visualized in a total of 14 patients from whom 2 to 27 oocytes were obtained.


METHODS
Total volume of each follicle.


RESULTS
Round and polygonal follicles exhibited a highly significant relationship between sonographically measured mean diameter and total follicle volume. The volume of follicles that were categorized as ellipsoid was not predicted by measurement of the longest diameter, shortest diameter or mean diameter.


CONCLUSIONS
The mean diameter of round and polygonal follicles accurately predicts total follicular volume. However, clinical decisions in ovulation induction should be modified when the follicle shape is predominantly ellipsoid because the traditionally held belief that the sonographic measurement of the follicular diameter correlates with the follicular volume does not apply in those circumstances.
Penzias
A S
AS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
Emmi
A M
AM
Dubey
A K
AK
Layman
L C
LC
DeCherney
A H
AH
Reindollar
R H
RH
D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling; D014463:Ultrasonography