Stein Polycystic ovary

Although most notable in Stein-Leventhal syndrome, which comprises the classical findings of amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, and sclerotic ovaries, a wide range of clinical presentations exist. Only one-quarter to one-half of the patients present the classical signs. Usually, infertility is the leading clinical problem of patients with PCOS. Recently, ultrasonographic studies reported a prevalence of polycystic ovaries in young women of at least 20%. However, there seems to be an overlap of polycystic ovaries and normal ovaries [62]. 

Fig. 9.24a,b. Polycystic ovaries in MRl. Transaxial T2-weighted images (a) and parasagittal T2 W1 (b) in a patient with Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Bilateral spherical ovaries are demonstrated showing numerous small follicles of uniform size. The latter are located in the periphery of the ovary and surround the ovarian stroma (asterisk), which typically is of very low signal intensity on T2-weighted images in PCO... 

In polycystic ovarian disease, both of the generally enlarged ovaries contain many small follicular cysts (2-6 mm), but larger cysts may also be present. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome) is characterized by the association of polycystic ovaries with irregular menses, prolonged uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, anovulation, and often hirsutism and obesity. The clinical manifestation of this syndrome begins at or shortly after puberty. 

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