Pipelle Endometrial Biopsy vs Dilatation and Curettage to Diagnose Endometrial Diseases in Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim The objective of this study was to assess the adequacy of the sample aspirated in order to make a definite diagnosis of endometrial disease in abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and to draw comparisons between the histopathological findings of Pipelle endometrial aspiration biopsy and dilatation and curettage (D&C). Materials and methods Pipelle endometrial biopsy and D&C samples were collected from 100 patients with AUB in the Department of the Obstetrics and Gynecology and sent to the Department of Pathology of a tertiary care hospital for adequacy of the sample and for histopathological analysis. Results The Pipelle sample was adequate in 73% of the cases and inadequate in 27% compared with D&C, which showed 85% and 15%, respectively. About 53% of cases were comparable between D&C and Pipelle and 37% were discordant. For endometrial hyperplasia using Pipelle aspirator, the sensitivity was 58.8%, specificity was 91.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 58.8%, negative predictive value (NPV) was 91.6%, and concordance was 86%. For detection of endometrial carcinoma using Pipelle, the sensitivity was 50%, specificity was 99%, PPV was 50%, NPV was 99%, and concordance rate was 98%. Conclusion It is more convenient and cost-effective for patients to undergo pipelle biopsy to confirm normalcy and rule out endometrial hyperplasia rather than undergoing D&C initially. Out of the 27% of inadequate samples, 14.8% had fibroids and 11.1% had polyps, thus showing that tumors localized to a polyp or a small area of endometrium went undetected with Pipelle. Clinical significance Due to the high specificity and NPV and low sensitivity and PPV in diagnosing endometrial lesions and carcinomas, pipelle is suitable for women with a low risk of cancer. In cases where the diagnosis is hyperplasia on Pipelle, the patients are advised to undergo hysteroscopic-guided D&C following pipelle to confirm the diagnosis. This is also applicable for cases of polyps and fibroids. How to cite this article Chandrashekar N, Jyothi GS, Shetty P. Pipelle Endometrial Biopsy vs Dilatation and Curettage to Diagnose Endometrial Diseases in Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. J South Asian Feder Menopause Soc 2017;5(2):123-128.