title: Diagnostic evaluation of Karman endometrial aspiration in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess sensitivity and specificity of Karman aspiration in the diagnosis of abnormal endometrium compared with the final diagnosis and evaluate tissue adequacy obtained by Karman aspiration.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group were women who presented with abnormal uterine bleeding to Songklanagarind Hospital between August 2003 and July 2004 and who underwent Karman aspiration prior to conventional curettage. The final diagnosis was defined as the most severe histopathology from either Karman aspiration or conventional curettage. Abnormal endometrium included inflammation, polyp, hyperplasia and malignant changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and twenty-six women were assessed. Endometrial aspiration showed a sensitivity of 89.6% and specificity 100.0% in diagnosis of abnormal endometrium. Abnormal endometrium was detected in 58 women. Of 11 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer, only one case was undetected by Karman aspiration due to a failure to create negative pressure in the uterus. Endometrial aspiration yielded adequate tissue in 86.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Karman endometrial aspiration is an accurate and easy procedure, and should be considered in the initial evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Thitinan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tansathit
authors.forename: Saibua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chichareon
authors.forename: Sathana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tocharoenvanich
authors.forename: Chavaboon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dechsukhum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis*