title: Laparoscopy-guided myometrial biopsy in the definite diagnosis of diffuse adenomyosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of laparoscopy-guided myometrial biopsy in the diagnosis of diffuse adenomyosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective non-randomized study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1) was conducted in a tertiary medical center. One hundred patients who had clinical signs and symptoms strongly suggestive of adenomyosis were included as the study sample. Transvaginal sonography, serum CA-125 determination and laparoscopy-guided myometrial biopsy were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean largest myometrial thickness was 3.10+/-0.56 cm (range 2.30-4.50). The mean serum CA-125 level was 49.64+/-38.30 U/ml (range 10.90-205.28). Of these 100 patients, adenomyosis was pathologically proven in 92 patients, small leiomyoma in four patients and myometrial hypertrophy in four patients. The sensitivity of myometrial biopsy was 98% and the specificity 100%; the positive predictive value was 100% and the negative predictive value 80%, which were superior to those of transvaginal sonography, serum CA-125 determination or the combination of both.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopy-guided myometrial biopsy is a valuable tool for obtaining a definite diagnosis of diffuse adenomyosis with preservation of the uterus in infertility workup or in the evaluation of dysmenorrhea or chronic pelvic pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, and Department of Pathology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 110, Taiwan. drcjjeng@tmu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Cherng-Jye
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Jeng
authors.forename: Shih-Hung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jenta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Chun-Shan
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Chii-Ruey
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Tzeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009215:Myometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018394:CA-125 Antigen