The role of ultrasound in the study of polycystic ovarian disease.

Seventy-eight patients with clinical findings pointing to possible polycystic ovarian disease (POD) were studied by ultrasound examination. The endocrine status of each patient was evaluated by assay of blood progesterone levels and gonadotropin luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (LH-FSH), both under basal conditions and after luteinizing hormone releasing factor (LH-RH) and androgen hormone stimulation (testosterone and 17-ketosteroids under basal conditions and after a suppression test with dexamethasone). POD was diagnosed in nine cases and confirmed in four at operation. Ultrasound examination as an aid to POD diagnosis is discussed and its value underlined as a precise method in determining ovarian size, shape, and structure, and as a follow-up for patients after surgery.