The significance of an 'insufficient' Pipelle sample in the investigation of post-menopausal bleeding.
BACKGROUND
Out-patient endometrial sampling is a commonly performed procedure in the investigation of post-menopausal bleeding. We hypothesized that an 'insufficient' Pipelle sample reliably reflected the absence of serious endometrial pathology.


RESULTS
A review of 141 consecutive cases reported as 'insufficient' for diagnostic purposes revealed 29 (20%) cases to have uterine pathology after secondary investigation. These included two cases of endometrial carcinoma and two other cases of uterine malignancy.


CONCLUSIONS
These results do not support the initial hypothesis and suggest that in women presenting with post-menopausal bleeding, an 'insufficient' sample is an indication for further investigation.
Farrell
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland.
Jones
N
N
Owen
P
P
Baird
A
A
D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003944:Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017698:Postmenopause; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology*