Endometrial biopsy using the Tao Brush method. A study of 50 women in a general gynecologic practice.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether the Tao Brush can retrieve sufficient endometrium for diagnosis and also to observe patients' tolerance of its use.


METHODS
Fifty women underwent Tao Brush sampling: 25 were sampled by Tao Brush alone, and the remainder were sampled by Pipelle immediately following. Patients' reactions to each method were observed.


RESULTS
Pipelle currettes larger pieces of endometrium; the Tao Brush obtains smaller pieces. There was no discrepancy between Tao Brush and Pipelle except that Pipelle sampled two of five endometrial polyps, while the Tao Brush sampled none. There was less tissue insufficient for diagnosis with the Tao Brush (2%) than Pipelle (12%). Most patients did not show signs of distress during Tao Brush sampling but grimaced during Pipelle suction curettage. For each of the 16 patients in the second group, the Tao Brush was significantly less painful than Pipelle (P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that the Tao Brush is an effective alternative endometrial sampler, causes less pain and produces less tissue insufficient for diagnosis than does the Pipelle. The CPT billing codes (58100) are the same for both the Pipelle and Tao Brush.
Yang
G C
GC
Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA. grace.yang@nyu.edu
Wan
L S
LS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity