Transvaginal laparoscopy: A minimally invasive approach to obtain brush cytology of the Fallopian tube.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate in a prospective pilot study the feasibility of cytobrushing of the fimbrial end using a transvaginal endoscopic access.


METHODS
Prospective feasibility study. The procedure was performed in a consecutive series of 15 infertile women referred for a transvaginal laparoscopy as part of their fertility investigation. Tubal cells were collected using a 5Fr cytobrush. Cytology and immunocytochemistry was done.


RESULTS
In all patients enough cell material was obtained for analysis, without traumatizing the fimbrial end. Specimens showed the presence of a sufficient amount of cells enabling standard cytologic examinations and immunocytochemistry (Ki 67, p53).


CONCLUSIONS
Fimbrial cytobrushing using the transvaginal approach is an easy and minimally invasive procedure. The easy accessibility of the fimbrial end and the distal ampullary part at TVL allows an accurate collection of tubal epithelial cells. In view of the recent data reporting the Fallopian tube and more specifically the fimbrial end as a possible origin of ovarian carcinoma, further research is needed to evaluate the potential of this technique as a possible screening method for patients at risk for ovarian cancer.
Life Expert Centre, Schipvaartstraat 4, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: stephan.gordts@lifeexpertcentre.be.
Stephan
S
Gordts
Life Expert Centre, Schipvaartstraat 4, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Rudi
R
Campo
Department Histology & Cytology, AML, Antwerp, Belgium.
J P
JP
Bogers
Department of Gynecological Oncology, Evagelistria Medical Center, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Vasilis
V
Tanos
Unit Reproductive Medicine, Heilig Hart Hospital, Naamsestraat 105, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Isabelle
I
Segaert
Life Expert Centre, Schipvaartstraat 4, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Unit Reproductive Medicine, Heilig Hart Hospital, Naamsestraat 105, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Marion
M
Valkenburg
Unit Reproductive Medicine, Heilig Hart Hospital, Naamsestraat 105, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Patrick
P
Puttemans
Unit Reproductive Medicine, Heilig Hart Hospital, Naamsestraat 105, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Sylvie
S
Gordts
D000328:Adult; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000166:cytology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies
BRCA; Cytology; Fimbriae; Ovarium cancer; Screening; Transvaginal laparoscopy