Polycystic ovaries: Implications of diagnosis with MR imaging

PURPOSE: To review the prevalence and clinical usefulness of a previously described magnetic resonance (MR) imaging finding of polycystic ovarian disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of the uterine adnexa of 1,074 consecutive female patients suspected of having various gynecologic diseases were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of an MR imaging finding that has been described for polycystic ovarian disease. RESULTS: The prevalence of the previously described MR imaging finding of polycystic ovarian disease was 1.1% (12 of 1,074). Of the 12 patients, five had confirmed polycystic ovarian disease. Seven had no clinical or endocrinologic findings suggestive of polycystic ovarian disease. Six of these patients had endocrinologic findings related to ovarian dysfunction (n = 5) or had undergone hormonal therapy (n = 1). The other patient had vaginal agenesis but no clinical or endocrinologic evidence of abnormal ovarian function. CONCLUSION: The finding of multiple peripheral ovarian cysts at MR imaging may not be specific for polycystic ovarian disease.