THE ROLE OF 3-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHIC IMAGES IN OVARIAN MEASUREMENT

Objective: To determine whether three-dimensional ultrasonography can increase the ability to evaluate the ovary and follicles, especially i n women with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD). Design: Prospective clin ical study. Setting: University hospital endocrine and infertility cen ter. Patient(s): Sixty-six patients undergoing routine gynecologic eva luation were divided into two groups: the normal control group consist ed of 22 patients, and there were 44 patients with PCOD. Intervention( s): Three-dimensional ultrasonography was performed to store and docum ent whole volumes of the ovaries for evaluation. Main Outcome Measure( s): Three perpendicular planes of bilateral ovaries are rotatable to o btain the largest dimensions. The three-dimensional volume was measure d using the trapezoid formula Result(s): The ovaries of the patients w ith PCOD were larger in size, area, and volume than those of normal co ntrols. Conclusion(s): Stroma and volume determinations can be obtaine d more accurately by three-dimensional images than by traditional ultr asonography. Three-dimensional ultrasonography not only facilitates no ninvasive evaluation and volume calculation but also completes the exa mination in a short time without increasing patient discomfort. (C)199 8 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.