Ultrasound and contrast agents for assessing effect of diathermy on polycystic ovaries

Ovarian diathermy is used as method of treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy involves puncturing the ovarian surface in several sites by either diathermy or laser. To try to gain understanding of the effect of diathermy on the ovary an ovine PCOS model was established on which diathermy could be performed and the ovaries assessed in vivo and then removed for further investigation. Contrast enhanced ultrasound, colour Doppler and pulse wave Doppler ultrasound imaging were used to assess blood flow in the ovaries before and after diathermy. Immediately after diathermy the colour Doppler signal was significantly reduced and this was also seen 5 weeks later. The control ovaries showed no difference in blood flow. Similarly the arterial resistance index increased immediately after diathermy and persisted for 5 weeks. The ovaries were removed for histology and biological assessment.