Publications by authors named "Andrew K Peppin"
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated how reliable different ultrasound methods are for measuring ovarian stromal area (SA), stromal-to-ovarian area ratio (S/A), and echogenicity (SEcho) in diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Five raters used three methods for SA and S/A, and one for SEcho on 30 ovarian cineloops, comparing results under varying imaging conditions to determine consistency and agreement.
- Results showed that Method 1 for SA provided better reliability than the other methods, but overall reproducibility for all assessments, including SEcho, was rated as moderate to poor, suggesting a need for optimization in clinical practice.
Objective: To determine whether sonographic markers of ovarian morphology or male pattern hair growth scores predict androgen levels in women with regular or irregular menstrual cycles.
Design: Cross-sectional observational study.
Setting: Clinical research unit.
Study Question: Do the ultrasonographic criteria for polycystic ovaries supported by the 2003 Rotterdam consensus adequately discriminate between the normal and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) condition in light of recent advancements in imaging technology and reliable methods for estimating follicle populations in PCOS?
Study Answer: Using newer ultrasound technology and a reliable grid system approach to count follicles, we concluded that a substantially higher threshold of follicle counts throughout the entire ovary (FNPO)-26 versus 12 follicles-is required to distinguish among women with PCOS and healthy women from the general population.
What Is Known Already: The Rotterdam consensus defined the polycystic ovary as having 12 or more follicles, measuring between 2 and 9 mm (FNPO), and/or an ovarian volume (OV) >10 cm(3). Since their initial proposal in 2003, a heightened prevalence of polycystic ovaries has been described in healthy women with regular menstrual cycles, which has questioned the accuracy of these criteria and marginalized the specificity of polycystic ovaries as a diagnostic criterion for PCOS.
Poor reliability has been reported when counting the total number of follicles in polycystic ovaries using conventional two-dimensional (2-D) ultrasound viewing methods. In the current study, we report good reliability in follicle counts when observers imposed a programmable grid system over the viewing window. Four observers estimated total follicle counts in 45 ovarian ultrasound scans by compartmentalizing the ovary into 9 to 12 grid sections and performing focused follicle counts per section.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There is growing acceptance that polycystic ovaries are an important marker of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) despite significant variability when making the ultrasound diagnosis. To better understand the nature of this variability, we proposed to evaluate the level of inter-observer agreement when identifying and quantifying individual ultrasonographic features of polycystic ovaries.
Methods: Digital recordings of transvaginal ultrasound scans performed in thirty women with PCOS were assessed by four observers with training in Radiology or Reproductive Endocrinology.
Background: We recently reported poor inter-observer agreement in identifying and quantifying individual ultrasonographic features of polycystic ovaries. Our objective was to determine the effect of a training workshop on reducing inter-observer variation in the ultrasonographic evaluation of polycystic ovaries.
Methods: Transvaginal ultrasound recordings from thirty women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were evaluated by three radiologists and three reproductive endocrinologists both before and after an ultrasound workshop.