Ovarian hyperthecosis on grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound findings in women with ovarian hyperthecosis.


METHODS
In a retrospective study, we reviewed the findings on ultrasound examination of the ovaries in 10 patients with proven hyperthecosis. Clinical features had been recorded and testosterone levels measured in all cases. The ovaries had been examined using grayscale ultrasound in all patients and color Doppler in six patients. Bilateral stromal hyperthecosis had been pathologically confirmed in all patients.


RESULTS
The clinical features were polymorphic, with symptoms of virilization in four patients. Type 2 diabetes was present in four patients. Testosterone levels were greater than 2 ng/mL in four patients. On grayscale ultrasound examination, the ovaries were normal in two patients but showed bilateral abnormalities in eight; both ovaries were increased in size in seven patients and had a round shape in two patients, the ovary being both increased in size and round in shape in one of these patients. A very peculiar nodular stromal pattern was observed in two out of 10 patients, while a homogeneous stromal pattern was observed in eight patients. On color Doppler, performed in six patients, no areas of hypervascularization were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings on grayscale ultrasonography and on color Doppler examination, in association with clinical and biological findings, are useful in the diagnosis of ovarian hyperthecosis and in ruling out the presence of an androgen-secreting tumor.
Rousset
P
P
Department of Radiology, Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, Paris, France. rousset.pas@voila.fr
Gompel
A
A
Christin-Maitre
S
S
Pugeat
M
M
Hugol
D
D
Ghossain
M A
MA
Buy
J-N
JN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult