Stein leventhal syndrome

(Irving Stein, born 1887, American gynaecologist and Michael Lewenthal, 20th century, American obstetrician), syndrome consisting of polycystic ovaries, infertility, oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea, and virilism. Although its aetiology is complex, abnormalities of the ovarian cycle include failure of the normal cyclical changes in follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones. As a result, the LH/FSH level is persistently elevated and ovarian follicles, chronically stimulated but unruptured, can be found in the subcapsular region of the ovaries. The ovarian fibrous stroma is increased, and the capsule hypertrophied.

Imaging plays an important role in Stein Leventhal syndrome. While the diagnosis is clinical, imaging findings are helpful in the evaluation of the ovaries. Characteristically ovaries are enlarged, and because of the increased fibrous stroma, the characteristic findings include a fibrous centre, and large follicles at the periphery. The uterus is hypoplastic, and on either ultrasound or MRI, it exhibits an infantile appearance. See also polycystic ovarian disease

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