Application of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging in diagnosis of precocious puberty in girls / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the value of three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US) in diagnosis of precocious puberty in girls. Methods: Totally 32 girls diagnosed as central precocious were enrolled. Two-dimensional ultrasonography (2D-US) and 3D-US of pelvis were performed, and the volume of uterus and ovary, the number of follicles, the maximum follicle diameter and ovarian blood flow parameters were recorded. At the same time, the basic levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) were detected. The parameters measured with 2D-US and 3D-US were compared, and the correlation between ultrasonic measurement parameters and hormone level was also analyzed. Results: 3D-US could clearly show the internal structure of uterus and ovary. The number of follicles larger than 4 mm and the maximum follicle diameter measured with 3D-US were all greater than those with 2D-US (both P0.05). The color blood flow display rate of ovary in 3D-US was 87.50% (28/32), significantly better than that of 2D-US (28.12% [9/32], P<0.01). 3D-US energy Doppler vascular index (VI), blood flow index (FI), blood vessel-blood flow index (VFI) were positively correlated with the maximum follicle diameter (r=0.43, 0.44, 0.54, all P<0.05). 3D-US measurements of ovarian volume and maximum follicle diameters were positively correlated with the serum LH (r=0.39, 0.72) and FSH (r=0.38, 0.64, all P<0.05). Conclusion: 3D-US is superior to 2D-US in counting follicles, measuring the maximum follicle diameter and showing ovarian blood supply in precocious girls, and is expected to play an important role in the diagnosis of precocious puberty in girls.