[Place of pelvic ultrasonography using transabdominal technique in the investigation of premature ovarian failure].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to characterize women with premature ovarian failure (POF) by their ovarian ultrasonographic appearances using transabdominal technique to establish the relationship to clinical, hormonal status, and genetic analysis.


METHODS
We studied a cohort of 80 patients suffering from POF. The surface of the ovary was calculated and we identified the detection or not of follicles.


RESULTS
The detection of the two ovaries by ultrasound was positive in 33 patients; only one ovary was identified in seven patients; none was noted in 40 patients. The surface of the ovaries ranged between 0.74 et 5.92 cm(2) (2.2+/-1.13 cm(2)). Ultrasonography identified follicles in 23 patients (28.75%). The presence of follicles suggested at ultrasonography was detected in 14 cases (70%) in normal-sized ovaries (> or =2 cm(2)) and in nine cases (45%) in small-sized ovaries (p=0.1). No significative statistical difference was found between the ultrasonographic appearances and the type of amenorrhea, pubertal development, hormonal status (estradiol, testosterone and delta-4-androstendione) and the chromosomal analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical and hormonal status and the genetic analysis can't predict the presence or not of follicles in the ovaries of patients with POF.
Braham
R
R
Service de cytogénétique et de biologie de la reproduction, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, avenue Ibn ElJazzar, 4000 Sousse, Tunisie. braham_rim@yahoo.fr
Hidar
S
S
Chaieb
M
M
Trimeche
S
S
Zaouali
M
M
Lakhal
B
B
Saâd
A
A
Ach
K
K
Chaieb
L
L
Elghezal
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011627:Puberty; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone