Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether or not there was an association between a polycystic ovary (PCO) and fibrocystic breast disease based on ultrasound findings, both pelvic and mammographic.
Design: Prospective case-control study.
Population: Women aged between 18 and 30 years not using oral contraceptives attending the outpatient ultrasound clinic from January 1996 to December 1998.
Main outcome: Confirm the association between PCO and fibrocystic breast disease.
Results: According to the ultrasound findings, women were allocated to three groups: 351 out of 456 showed normal-appearing ovaries (group A), 93 had polycystic-appearing ovaries/PCO (group B) and 12 had PCO syndrome (group C). In group A, 24 (6.83%) women showed breast pathology. In group B, there was an association between PCO and breast pathology in 53 (56.98%) women, while in group C it was noted in 11 out of 12 (91%).
Conclusion: This study showed a significant association between PCO and benign pathology. This should encourage the performance of a screening breast sonography on women with PCO.