title: Hysteroscopy may transport malignant cells into the peritoneal cavity. Case report.
abstract: The purpose of this report is to caution against the use of hysteroscopy at the time of uterine curettage performed in women with postmenopausal bleeding suspected of having endometrial carcinoma. A 63 year old postmenopausal woman had endometrial carcinoma diagnosed by hysteroscopically guided curettage. At the time of hysterectomy three weeks later, malignant cells were found in pelvic washings. Although a causal relationship between hysteroscopy and malignant peritoneal cytology cannot be postulated, we believe that hysterescopy should be used with caution in the work up of postmenopausal bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wright State University School of Medicine, Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Ohio.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Nahhas
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*