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.