title: Liquid-based endometrial cytology in the management of sonographically thickened endometrium.
abstract: Liquid-based cytology represents an opportunity to re-evaluate endometrial cytology. We evaluated the accuracy of liquid-based endometrial cytology as compared to biopsy in 670 women scheduled for histeroscopy because of thickened endometrium (>4 mm), as evaluated by transvaginal sonography. Endometrial biopsy detected pathology in 41 (6%) of cases (21 of which were adenocarcinomas). Cytologic study found pathology in 62 (9%) cases (19 of which were adenocarcinomas). Two hundred ninety-one biopsies (43%) and 28 (4%) cytologies were inadequate. The sensitivity and the specificity were estimated, respectively, at 95% and 98%; the positive and negative predictive values were estimated, respectively, at 83% and 99%. Cytology provided sufficient material more often than biopsy (P < 0.01). We consider endometrial cytology an efficacious diagnostic opportunity. It could be usefully applied in association with transvaginal sonography. The combination of these procedures might reduce more invasive and expensive diagnostic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. ambuccoliero@unifi.it
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Buccoliero
authors.forename: Chiara F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Gheri
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castiglione
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garbini
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fambrini
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bargelli
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbetti
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pappalardo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taddei
authors.forename: Vieri
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boddi
authors.forename: Gian F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Scarselli
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marchionni
authors.forename: Gian L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Taddei
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology