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Polycystic ovaries

Case contributed by J. Ray Ballinger
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Obese female with amenorrhea for 18 months. Unsuccessful attempt at becoming pregnant.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Female
ultrasound

The transvaginal ultrasound images show multiple follicles in each ovary, probably in excess of 10 on each side. The ovaries were borderline-enlarged.

Case Discussion

The Stein-Leventhal (polycystic ovarian syndrome) syndrome usually presents as an obese, hirsute female with amenorrhea. Patients require 2 out of 3 Rotterdam criteria for diagnosis.

The ovaries are polycystic and usually 2-3 times larger in volume than normal, but up to 30% will have normal-sized ovaries. Multiple follicles between 0.5 - 1.0 cm in diameter are seen in the ovaries. These follicles fail to ovulate and so accumulate in number.

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