title: Hysteroscopic myometrial biopsy in unexplained abnormal uterine bleeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the value of hysteroscopic myometrial biopsy in unexplained abnormal uterine bleeding not responding to hormonal treatment and to compare two hysteroscopic biopsy techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cross-sectional comparative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gynecologic Endoscopy Unit, Assiut University Hospital, Egypt.
  
  
  METHODS
  It comprised 99 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding who underwent transvaginal ultrasonography, endometrial biopsy and diagnostic hysteroscopy, which revealed no local lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operative hysteroscopy was performed for 62 of them (group A). Hysteroscopic myometrial biopsies were taken using rigid biopsy forceps and the resectoscope successively guided by the previous ultrasonography of the myometrium. Thirty-seven patients (group B) underwent total abdominal hysterectomy followed by multiple full-thickness myometrial biopsies of the specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pathologic myometrium was diagnosed in 12 (19%), 27 (43%) and 21 (56.5%) biopsies taken with the rigid biopsy forceps and the resectoscope (group A) and full-thickness biopsies (group B) respectively. Thirty biopsies (48%) taken with the rigid biopsy forceps were inadequate for proper histopathologic assessment while thermal effect was excessive in only four biopsies (6%) taken with the resectoscope. Honeycomb sonographic appearance was specific in prediction of adenomyosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resectoscopic myometrial biopsy can explain the cause of persistent abnormal uterine bleeding in about 43% of cases. Myometrial biopsy using the rigid biopsy forceps is inadequate and is not recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Darwish
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Makhlouf
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Youssof
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Gadalla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D007249:Inflammation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009215:Myometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology