The role of liquid-based cytology associated with curettage in the investigation of endometrial lesions from postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the role of liquid-based cytology with ThinPrep technique, in the detection of endometrial lesions, using direct endometrial sampling from postmenopausal women with the Endogyn endometrial device.


METHODS
It was performed on 491 postmenopausal women referred to our clinic for abnormal bleeding or other symptoms and/or a thickness of endometrium >5 mm on ultrasound. Endometrial sampling, dilatation and curettage (D&C) and hysterectomy were performed on all patients. For the diagnosis, the WHO classification scheme was used.


RESULTS
According to our findings a sensitivity of 98.08%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 100% and overall accuracy of 98.98% were observed in both endometrial sampling and in D&C.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial sampling is complementary to D&C for the diagnosis of endometrial lesions and it is necessary for it to be performed before D&C and/or hysterectomy.
Papaefthimiou
M
M
Department of Cytology, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Symiakaki
H
H
Mentzelopoulou
P
P
Giahnaki
A E
AE
Voulgaris
Z
Z
Diakomanolis
E
E
Kyroudes
A
A
Karakitsos
P
P
D001284:Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000175:diagnosis; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage / Q000379:methods*; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity