Comparison of the Z-sampler and Novak endometrial biopsy instruments for in-office diagnosis of endometrial cancer.
The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy and specimen adequacy of in-office endometrial biopsies taken with the Novak curette and with a disposable flexible polypropylene biopsy device, the Z-sampler, in patients with endometrial cancer. Eighty women with endometrial cancer had in-office endometrial biopsies performed with the Z-sampler and the Novak curette prior to hysterectomy. The Z-sampler diagnosed 66 (82.5%) with endometrial cancer compared to 68 (85%) with the Novak curette (P = 0.724). The Z-sampler biopsies included 10 specimens (12.5%) pathologically inadequate for diagnosis, compared to 5 (6.3%) Novak curette biopsies inadequate for diagnosis (P = 0.074). When both endometrial biopsies were adequate for pathologic evaluation, the Z-sampler diagnosed 66 of 70 women (94.3%) with endometrial cancer, compared to 64 of 70 (91.4%) diagnosed with the Novak curette (P = 0.617). We did not demonstrate a significant difference in diagnostic accuracy or specimen adequacy between in-office biopsies taken with the Novak curette and those taken with the Z-sampler in patients with endometrial cancer.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marshfield Clinic, Wisconsin 54449-5777.
D M
DM
Larson
B R
BR
Krawisz
K K
KK
Johnson
S K
SK
Broste
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation; D003475:Curettage / Q000295:instrumentation; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits; D017698:Postmenopause