title: Hysteroscopy: an alternative to dilatation and curettage in the diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding.
abstract: Data were collected prospectively on 100 women suffering from postmenopausal bleeding who were investigated by hysteroscopy in a 5-month period. Women using hormone replacement therapy were excluded. The most common hysteroscopic finding was atrophy (44%). Other findings were: endometrial cysts (13%), endometrial polyp (12%) and adenocarcinoma (6%). The sample was not representative in 41% of cases and the most frequent histopathological diagnosis was inactive endometrium (14%). Other diagnoses were: inactive endometrium (14%), adenocarcinoma (6%), hyperplasia (7%), endometrial polyp (3%), proliferation (5%) and atrophy (4%), Endometrial sampling was not performed in 13% of the cases. General anaesthesia was not needed and complications were minimal. We support hysteroscopy as a routine alternative to dilatation and curettage in the diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Endoscopy Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital of Basurto, University of the Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gorostiaga
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andía
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arrizabalaga
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lobato
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brouard
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Usandizaga