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Flow differences between endometrial polyps and cancer: a prospective study using intravenous contrast‐enhanced transvaginal color flow Doppler and three‐dimensional power Doppler ultrasound
Author(s) -
Lieng M.,
Qvigstad E.,
Dahl G. F.,
Istre O.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.6267
Subject(s) - medicine , power doppler , endometrial polyp , endometrial cancer , radiology , prospective cohort study , pulsatility index , color doppler , contrast (vision) , blood flow , endometrium , nuclear medicine , ultrasound , cancer , ultrasonography , pregnancy , fetus , genetics , artificial intelligence , biology , computer science
Objectives To evaluate whether assessment of blood flow by transvaginal color Doppler and three‐dimensional power Doppler imaging, enhanced by intravenous contrast, may be useful in the differentiation between benign endometrial polyps and endometrial cancer. Methods A prospective study was performed comparing 17 women with benign endometrial polyps and 17 women with endometrial cancer. Transvaginal color Doppler and three‐dimensional power Doppler angiography were performed before and after injection of intravenous contrast. The pulsatility index (PI) and the resistance index (RI) of the polyp feeding vessel or central vessel in malignant lesions, as well as the power Doppler endometrial flow indices vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI), were calculated before and after enhancement by contrast, and compared between the two groups of women. Results PI (mean difference ± SD, 0.68 ± 0.22; 95% CI, 0.23–1.13; P = 0.004) and RI (mean difference ± SD, 0.16 ± 0.08; 95% CI, 0.00–0.32; P = 0.045) were significantly lower in vessels of malignant tumors than in those of benign endometrial polyps after enhancement by intravenous contrast. No significant differences in PI, RI, VI, FI or VFI before enhancement by contrast, or in VI, FI or VFI after enhancement by contrast, were detected between women with endometrial polyps and those with endometrial cancer. Conclusions Transvaginal color Doppler examination enhanced by intravenous contrast may help to discriminate between benign endometrial polyps and cancer. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.