Detection of feeding artery improves the ultrasound diagnosis of endometrial polyps in asymptomatic patients.

Abstract Objective: To investigate whether transvaginal power Doppler imaging of the vascularity improves the ultrasound detection rate of endometrial polyps in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Study design: Forty-one patients with endometrial polyps confirmed by operative hysteroscopy and histologic examination. They were all examined with grey-scale and subsequent power Doppler enhanced ultrasound preoperatively according to the same protocol. Double layer endometrium and detailed endometrial morphology were described at grey scale scan. With power Doppler imaging pattern of endometrial vascularity. In the presence of a single feeding artery the ultrasound diagnosis of an endometrial polyp was made. Results: With grey-scale imaging 20 polyps (49%) were recognized, while the subsequent application of power Doppler diagnosed the remaining 21 polyps increasing the overall detection rate to 10% ( P Conclusion: Power Doppler enhanced ultrasound detection of the feeding vessels can be a simple, non-invasive and highly effective first line test for the diagnosis of endometrial polyps in asymptomatic patients.