title: Quantification of Doppler signal in polycystic ovary syndrome using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography: a possible new marker for diagnosis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsien-An
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Meng-Hsing
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yueh-Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Chin-Hsien
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fong-Ming
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone