title: The role of three-dimensional ultrasonographic images in ovarian measurement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether three-dimensional ultrasonography can increase the ability to evaluate the ovary and follicles, especially in women with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital endocrine and infertility center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six patients undergoing routine gynecologic evaluation were divided into two groups: the normal control group consisted of 22 patients, and there were 44 patients with PCOD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-dimensional ultrasonography was performed to store and document whole volumes of the ovaries for evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three perpendicular planes of bilateral ovaries are rotatable to obtain the largest dimensions. The three-dimensional volume was measured using the trapezoid formula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ovaries of the patients with PCOD were larger in size, area, and volume than those of normal controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stroma and volume determinations can be obtained more accurately by three-dimensional images than by traditional ultrasonography. Three-dimensional ultrasonography not only facilitates noninvasive evaluation and volume calculation but also completes the examination in a short time without increasing patient discomfort.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng-Kung University, Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods