The role of three-dimensional ultrasonography in polycystic ovary syndrome

The 2003 Rotterdam diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovarysyndrome (PCOS) support the objective role of ultrasound indefining the appearance of the PCO, but there are significantlimitations of these new guidelines from an ultrasound perspectivethat must be considered. Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound providesa new method for the objective quantitative assessment of folliclecount, ovarian volume, stromal volume and blood flow withinthe ovary as a whole. Since the introduction of 3D ultrasonography,there have been increasing publications on PCOS, each addressingdifferent areas and reporting different results. This reviewcritically examines these studies in an attempt to clarify theevidence to date and thereby establish the current role of 3Dultrasonography in PCOS.