Analysis of ovarian volume of Korean children and adolescents at magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Background: Knowledge of ovarian volume is important for diagnostic evaluations; however, normal ovarian volume studies on children and adolescents are lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze age-specific ovarian volume and identify the diverse factors that contribute to ovarian diagnoses.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively enrolled 180 patients (0-18 years of age) with normal ovaries who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 2010 and 2018. MRI sequences included coronal and axial T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) images and coronal T1-weighted TSE images. Ovarian volume was calculated by the standard ellipsoid formula. Age-specific ovarian volume, height, weight, height-adjusted total ovarian volume and body mass index were obtained. Linear regression analysis was used to predict ovarian volume.

Results: Six age groups (infant; early and late child, and early, middle and late adolescent) were described. The early adolescent group (10-12 years) had the highest rate of increase. In the middle adolescent period (13-15 years), the curve of ovarian volume appeared flat.

Conclusion: Our findings provide age-specific references for ovarian volume.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Height-adjusted total ovarian volume; Magnetic resonance imaging; Normal measurements; Ovarian volume; Ovary.