Overview
In polycystic ovary disease, enlarged ovaries with thickened sclerotic capsules and an abnormally high number of follicles are present. The follicles may concurrently exist in varying states of growth, maturation, or atresia.
PCOS is considered the most common endocrine disorder in the world in women of reproduction age.
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, and Androgen Excess and PCOS Society have published best practices for evaluating and treating PCOS. They state that the diagnosis of PCOS is based on the presence of at least 2 of the following 3 criteria: chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism (clinical or biological), and polycystic ovaries. They note that ultrasound machines now allow diagnosis of PCOM in patients with at least 25 small follicles (2-9 mm) in the whole ovary, and ovarian size of 10 ml is the threshold between normal and increased ovary size.
Although a multiplicity of clinical presentations exists for polycystic ovary disease, in 1935, Stein and Leventhal reported the classic symptomatology in a group of women who had amenorrhea, infertility, hirsutism, and enlarged polycystic ovaries.
The authors found that, after ovarian biopsy, the women began to menstruate regularly. As was discovered over time, women may have polycystic ovaries, yet their cases may not conform to all of the original criteria for this condition. Therefore, Stein-Leventhal syndrome became a subgroup of a more encompassing disease called polycystic ovary disease.
Evidence suggests that the underlying disorder of polycystic ovary disease is insulin resistance, with the elevated insulin levels stimulating excess ovarian androgen production. In such cases, there is a predispositon for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease in later life. Metformin may be used in specific cases of polycystic ovary disease.
In adolescent girls, large, multicystic ovaries are a common finding. For adolescents in whom diagnosis of PCOS remains uncertain after clinical and laboratory evaluation, MRI may be considered as a diagnostic imaging modality.
See the images of polycystic ovary disease below.
Longitudinal transabdominal sonogram of an ovary. This image reveals multiple peripheral follicles.
Transverse endovaginal sonogram of the left ovary. This image exhibits numerous peripheral follicles and hyperechoic stroma. Note that none of the follicles is larger than 1.2 cm.
Axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of the pelvis. This image reveals multiple subcapsular follicles in both ovaries; the follicles are more conspicuous on the left side on this image.
Axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of the pelvis. This image demonstrates multiple subcapsular follicles in both ovaries; the follicles are more conspicuous on the right side on this image.
As more information regarding the nature of the condition has come to light, other terms have been applied, including polycystic ovarian/ovaries syndrome and polyfollicular ovarian disease. In actuality, polycystic ovaries are not the primary cause of amenorrhea or hirsutism in this condition. Rather, they are simply one sign of an underlying endocrinologic disorder that ultimately results in anovulation.
Shah et al proposed that premenarcheal girls presenting with ovarian torsion without obvious ovarian pathology be screened for ultrasound and biochemical evidence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In a retrospective observational case series, the authors studied PCOS in 6 premenarcheal adolescents and 6 adults with unexplained ovarian torsion. The authors suggested that, in those with evidence of PCOS, treatment with oral contraceptives be considered, taking into account age and pubertal development, to decrease ovarian volume.
According to the Rotterdam consensus and Androgen Excess & PCOS Society, ultrasound criteria consist of the presence of 12 or more follicles within the ovary, with a diameter of 2-9 mm and/or ovarian volume 10 cm3 or greater.
Preferred examination
Polycystic ovaries are most often diagnosed by means of laboratory studies. The initial screening tests may include determinations of the blood serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), FSH, LH, and prolactin (PL). The ratio of the FSH level to the LH level is useful in the diagnosis. TSH or PL levels may be useful in identifying an etiology, such as hyperthyroidism or a prolactinoma. In some patients, testosterone and dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels or a progesterone challenge are useful.
Typically, a radiologic evaluation for polycystic ovaries is reserved for patients who have equivocal laboratory findings. However, radiologists make a significant number of incidental diagnoses. Should the radiologist’s assistance be requested in the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome, the imaging method of choice is transabdominal and/or transvaginal ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful as an adjunct; however, although MRI is more sensitive than ultrasonography, its findings are less specific. In recent studies, the benefits of cross-sectional imaging and functional neuroimaging have been studied.
Assessment of anti-Mullerian hormone levels may offer promise as a method of dertermining the presence of PCOS.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is not a primary disease process. When polycystic ovaries are discovered at radiologic examination, further diagnostic tests are needed to determine the etiology.
Limitations of techniques
When the laboratory values are interpreted together with a thorough history as well as physical examination findings, they are useful in the diagnosis of polycystic ovaries. In some patients, such information may lead to a specific cause of the ovarian dysfunction (eg, hyperprolactinemia). When hormone levels do not provide adequate information, ultrasonography may prove useful; however, in the absence of correlative information, the significance of the radiologic findings is difficult to determine. The primary limitation of ultrasonography is that a radiologic diagnosis of polycystic ovaries does not reveal the underlying pathology, if it exists. Further studies are usually necessary to determine the cause of the radiologic finding.
Although polycystic ovaries are occasionally identified in patients without polycystic ovarian syndrome, this possibility does not relieve the radiologist of the responsibility to report the finding and recommend further clinical and biochemical evaluations.
Patient education
For patient information resources, see the Women’s Health Center, as well as Ovarian Cysts, Amenorrhea, and Female Sexual Problems.