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Patterns of ovarian morphology in polycystic ovary syndrome: a study utilising magnetic resonance imaging

  • Magnetic Resonance
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Abstract

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 cm3.

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 × 10−16; calculated ovarian volume 8.8 cm3 [5.0, 15.5] vs 5.1 cm3 [2.5, 10.3], unadjusted P = 3.0 × 10–7; peripheral follicle location in 55% vs 18% of ovaries, P = 7.9 × 10–6; visible central ovarian stroma in 61% vs 24% of ovaries, P = 2.3 × 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.

Conclusion

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.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the patients and nurses who contributed to the ascertainment of the various clinical samples used in this study. Research Fellowships were awarded by NovoNordisk (to TMB) and NIHR (to MG). We acknowledge the Fetal Medicine Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford for use of imaging facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK

    Thomas M. Barber, Rachel Smith, Anne Marland & John A. H. Wass

  2. Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK

    Mark I. McCarthy

  3. Oxford MRI Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK

    Christopher Alvey & Stephen J. Golding

  4. Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK

    Tessa Greenslade

  5. Department of Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Mark Gooding & Stephen J. Golding

  6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK

    Debbie Barber & Tim Child

  7. Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College (Hammersmith Campus), London, W12 0NN, UK

    Stephen Franks

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  1. Thomas M. Barber
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  2. Christopher Alvey
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  3. Tessa Greenslade
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  5. Debbie Barber
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  7. Anne Marland
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  8. John A. H. Wass
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  9. Tim Child
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  10. Mark I. McCarthy
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  11. Stephen Franks
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  12. Stephen J. Golding
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Correspondence to Thomas M. Barber.

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Barber, T.M., Alvey, C., Greenslade, T. et al. Patterns of ovarian morphology in polycystic ovary syndrome: a study utilising magnetic resonance imaging. Eur Radiol 20, 1207–1213 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-009-1643-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-009-1643-8

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