Quantification of Doppler signal in polycystic ovary syndrome using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography: a possible new marker for diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
Differences in the ovarian stromal blood flow of women embarking on an IVF treatment, as assessed on day 2 or 3 of the menstrual cycle, using three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasonography to quantify the blood flow and vascularization, were compared.


METHODS
The women were divided into two groups: group 1, 54 women with regular, ovulatory menstrual cycles and normal ovaries on ultrasound scan; and group 2, 25 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


RESULTS
The quantification of Doppler signal in the ovarian stroma appeared to be greater in the PCOS group compared with the normal group. The mean of ovarian volume was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in women with PCOS compared with the normal ovaries. The vascularization flow index (VFI), flow index (FI), and vascularization index (VI), were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the women with PCOS compared with the women with normal ovaries.


CONCLUSIONS
This observation may help to explain the excessive response often seen during gonadotrophin administration in women with PCOS. We believe that a quantification study of the vascular flow, including the VI, FI, and VFI of the entire ovarian stroma using 3D power Doppler, is more accurate than the previously reported quantification analysis using 2D imaging, and may be a new parameter to assist in the ultrasound diagnosis of PCOS.
Pan
Hsien-An
HA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
Wu
Meng-Hsing
MH
Cheng
Yueh-Chin
YC
Li
Chin-Hsien
CH
Chang
Fong-Ming
FM
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone