The role of liquid-based cytology associated with curettage in the investigation of endometrial lesions from postmenopausal women

Cytopathology. 2005 Feb;16(1):32-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2303.2004.00224.x.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the role of liquid-based cytology with ThinPrep technique, in the detection of endometrial lesions, using direct endometrial sampling from postmenopausal women with the Endogyn endometrial device.

Methods: It was performed on 491 postmenopausal women referred to our clinic for abnormal bleeding or other symptoms and/or a thickness of endometrium >5 mm on ultrasound. Endometrial sampling, dilatation and curettage (D&C) and hysterectomy were performed on all patients. For the diagnosis, the WHO classification scheme was used.

Results: According to our findings a sensitivity of 98.08%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 100% and overall accuracy of 98.98% were observed in both endometrial sampling and in D&C.

Conclusions: Endometrial sampling is complementary to D&C for the diagnosis of endometrial lesions and it is necessary for it to be performed before D&C and/or hysterectomy.

MeSH terms

  • Atrophy / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / diagnosis
  • Cytodiagnosis / methods*
  • Dilatation and Curettage / methods*
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / diagnosis
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy
  • Middle Aged
  • Postmenopause*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sensitivity and Specificity