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Polycystic ovaries

Case contributed by Ahmed Mahrous Saied
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Presented with pelvic colic.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Female
mri

These MRI images reveal the characteristic appearance of the polycystic ovaries:

  •  both ovaries are enlarged in size.
  • both ovaries contain an abnormally large number of follicles (>10-12 each). All follicles show a more-or-less similar size with no dominant follicles detected (size <10 mm).
  • the follicles display an abnormal distribution being arranged peripherally (showing the characteristic "string of pearls" appearance).

Case Discussion

When diagnosing polycystic ovaries, one can apply the ten rule:

  1. Volume of each ovary (>10 cm3).
  2. Each ovary contains (>10 follicles).
  3. Each follicle diameter (<10 mm). 

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