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Citation:
El-Feky M, Anan R, Bell D, Feeding artery sign (endometrial polyp). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 30 May 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-99536
Feeding artery sign (a.k.a. pedicle artery sign) refers to the presence of a single feeding artery to endometrial lesion using color/power Doppler on ultrasonography. It is often seen in endometrial polyps 1. The feeding vessel indicates the stalk attachment of the polyp to the uterus.
Endometrial polyps may be isoechoic and sometimes hard to detect on B-mode ultrasound. The application of color/power Doppler shows the presence of a prominent feeding artery that confirms the diagnosis of endometrial polyp and aids in its detection even in asymptomatic patients 1.
The presence of a vascular pedicle is 76% sensitive and 95% specific for endometrial polyps 2.
Differential diagnosis
This sign is not pathognomonic for endometrial polyps as it can occasionally be seen with submucosal fibroids or endometrial carcinoma.
Submucosal fibroid may show a rim-like vessel pattern, with a surrounding circular or semicircular vessel, or with a few small scattered accompanying vessels 3.
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- 2. Gupta A, Desai A, Bhatt S. Imaging of the Endometrium: Physiologic Changes and Diseases: Women's Imaging. Radiographics. 2017;37(7):2206-7. doi:10.1148/rg.2017170008 - Pubmed
- 3. Cil A, Tulunay G, Kose M, Haberal A. Power Doppler Properties of Endometrial Polyps and Submucosal Fibroids: A Preliminary Observational Study in Women with Known Intracavitary Lesions. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2010;35(2):233-7. doi:10.1002/uog.7470 - Pubmed
- 4. Fleischer A & Shappell H. Color Doppler Sonohysterography of Endometrial Polyps and Submucosal Fibroids. J Ultrasound Med. 2003;22(6):601-4. doi:10.7863/jum.2003.22.6.601 - Pubmed
- 5. Amreen S, Singh M, Choh N, Saldanha C, Gojwari T. Doppler Evaluation of Endometrial Polyps. The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. 2018;49(3):850-3. doi:10.1016/j.ejrnm.2018.03.005
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