Endometrial polyp

Exam relevance: in 1 of 197 board exam reports · rank 171

Specialty: Gynaecology · Uterus & endometrium
Images: Ultrasound 3 · Endoscopy & gross 2 · Histology & cytology 1
Exam relevance: 1 of 197 reports · rank 171
In the app: 1 flashcards · GynFuchs
Last updated: 10/2026 · Dr. Pascal Bafteh

Contents

Images (6)
Definition
Occurrence & epidemiology
Clinical features
Diagnosis
Keep learning in the app
Further reading (selection)
Cross-references

Images (6)

Endometrial polyp – Ultrasound: Transvaginal ultrasound with power Doppler: endometrial polyp with a single feeder vessel — Transvaginal ultrasound with power Doppler: endometrial polyp with a single feeder vesselImage: Wong M, Thanatsis N, Nardelli F, Amin T, Jurkovic D – Diagnostics 11(6):1094 (2021) · CC BY 4.0 · Source · cropped

Endometrial polyp – Endoscopy & gross: Hysteroscopy: large endometrial polyp in a postmenopausal patient — Hysteroscopy: large endometrial polyp in a postmenopausal patientImage: Wang D, Wang L, Zhou N, Fang Y – Frontiers in Medicine 13:1821347 (2026) · CC BY 4.0 · Source · cropped

Endometrial polyp – Histology & cytology: Histology (H&E) of an endometrial polyp — Histology (H&E) of an endometrial polypImage: Wang D, Wang L, Zhou N, Fang Y – Frontiers in Medicine 13:1821347 (2026) · CC BY 4.0 · Source · cropped

Endometrial polyp – Ultrasound: Transvaginal ultrasound: circumscribed, cystic mass, clearly demarcated from the myometrium — polyp — Transvaginal ultrasound: circumscribed, cystic mass, clearly demarcated from the myometrium — polypImage: Yan L, Sun J, Yang S, Wang D, Zuo X, Zhang M, Zhang C, Zhang T, Jia H – Frontiers in Oncology 16:1682386 (2026) · CC BY 4.0 · Source · cropped

Endometrial polyp – Endoscopy & gross: Hysteroscopy: dense synechia between the anterior and posterior walls — Asherman's syndrome — Hysteroscopy: dense synechia between the anterior and posterior walls — Asherman's syndromeImage: Johnson ME, Roura-Monllor JA, Elwood AD, Steiner AZ, Morse JE. (Case reports in women's health 2026) · CC BY 4.0 · Source · cropped

Endometrial polyp – Ultrasound: Endometrial polyp — Endometrial polypImage: Hanay (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

1 / 6

Definition

Endometrial polyps are localised proliferations of endometrial glands, stroma and a central vascular core projecting into the uterine cavity, ranging from a few millimetres to several centimetres.
Pedunculated polyps are attached by a narrow stalk, sessile polyps by a broad base without a stalk.

Occurrence & epidemiology

Epidemiology and pathogenesis

Polyps are among the most frequent pathological findings in the uterus; incidence peaks between 40 and 49 years.
Their development is linked to oestrogen stimulation.

Clinical features

Many polyps are asymptomatic; in one study 82% of histologically confirmed polyps caused no symptoms.
Polyps are a common cause of abnormal uterine bleeding and have been associated with infertility.
Only a very small fraction, about 1%, shows hyperplastic or malignant change.

Diagnosis

Imaging of the endometrial polyp

On ultrasound, it is recognised by a circumscribed, echogenic structure, smooth border.
On Doppler, a typical finding is a single feeding vessel.
It can be better visualised by hydrosonography.

Typical imaging findings

Ultrasound: A circumscribed echogenic mass with small cystic inclusions lies within the cavity. It stands out sharply from the surrounding endometrium; the myometrium beneath is smooth and intact.
Ultrasound: A rounded, echogenic structure inside the cavity is distinguishable from the surrounding endometrium and has been measured with calipers. The cavity line is widened at this point; the surrounding myometrium is homogeneous.

Transvaginal ultrasound is the primary initial tool, showing polyps as hyperechogenic lesions with a regular contour.
Colour Doppler may show the typical single feeding vessel; intrauterine contrast at sonohysterography may outline small polyps missed on greyscale ultrasound.
Polyps may coexist with diffuse endometrial pathology such as hyperplasia or carcinoma; a tissue diagnosis requires histology.

Keep learning in the app

In the GynFuchs app you can learn Endometrial polyp with flashcards, exam questions and image tasks (colposcopy, ultrasound, CTG) – free, in your browser or as an app.

In the app: 1 flashcards on this topic

Open in browser About GynFuchs →