The significance of a thickened endometrial echo in asymptomatic postmenopausal patients

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of a thickened endometrial echo in an asymptomatic, postmenopausal patient.

Study design: A retrospective review was conducted of all women who underwent transvaginal ultrasonography between January 2003 and August 2008, were found to have an endometrial thickness of at least 5mm and were subjected to endometrial sampling.

Results: Sixty-five postmenopausal women, without vaginal bleeding underwent ultrasonographic evaluation with subsequent endometrial sampling. The mean endometrial stripe thickness was 9.7 mm (range: 5.4-22). Four (6.2%) cases of simple/complex hyperplasia were identified and two (3.1%) cases of atypical hyperplasia were diagnosed. Zero (0%) specimens were identified as adenocarcinoma. Twenty-eight (43.1%) polyps and eleven (16.9%) leiomyomata were identified.

Conclusion: The use of transvaginal sonography as a screening tool in this population is not validated and need not trigger routine evaluation.