Patterns of ovarian morphology in polycystic ovary syndrome: a study utilising magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare MRI-based ovarian morphology in groups of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls.


METHODS
All PCOS cases (n = 44) had oligo-amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism irrespective of ovarian morphology, and fulfilled NIH/Rotterdam diagnostic criteria for PCOS. All control women (n = 40) had normal menses and normoandrogenaemia. All subjects were of white British/Irish origin and pre-menopausal. Group comparisons were based on independent-sample t tests. Polycystic ovarian morphology was defined by at least 12 follicles 2-9 mm in diameter and/or an ovarian volume greater than 10 cm(3).


RESULTS
Ovarian morphology differed significantly in PCOS cases and controls (follicle number geometric mean [SD range] 18.6 [9.9, 35.0] vs 6.6 [3.1, 14.2], unadjusted P = 1.3 x 10(-16); calculated ovarian volume 8.8 cm(3) [5.0, 15.5] vs 5.1 cm(3) [2.5, 10.3], unadjusted P = 3.0 x 10(-7); peripheral follicle location in 55% vs 18% of ovaries, P = 7.9 x 10(-6); visible central ovarian stroma in 61% vs 24% of ovaries, P = 2.3 x 10(-5)). Follicle number and calculated ovarian volume were not concordant with clinical/biochemical assignment of PCOS/control status in 36 (23%) and 52 (34%) of ovaries, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Ovarian morphology overlaps in PCOS cases and controls, emphasising the importance of considering clinical/biochemical presentation together with imaging ovarian morphology in the diagnosis of PCOS.
Barber
Thomas M
TM
Department of Endocrinology, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK. tom.barber@drl.ox.ac.uk
Alvey
Christopher
C
Greenslade
Tessa
T
Gooding
Mark
M
Barber
Debbie
D
Smith
Rachel
R
Marland
Anne
A
Wass
John A H
JA
Child
Tim
T
McCarthy
Mark I
MI
Franks
Stephen
S
Golding
Stephen J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000473:pathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D017697:Premenopause
D015415:Biomarkers