ENDOPAP(R)- VERSUS PIPELLE(R)-SAMPLING IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF POSTMENOPAUSAL ENDOMETRIAL DISEASE

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of Endopap(R)- and Pipelle(R)-samp ling in the diagnosis of postmenopausal disease. Study Design: Observa tional study in the setting of a University Hospital. One hundred and six consecutive postmenopausal women presenting with uterine bleeding or endometrial cells on cervical cytology underwent an Endopap(R) samp ling as well as a Pipelle(R) biopsy. Thereafter, 89 of those women und erwent a hysteroscopy and curettage (n = 71) or a hysterectomy (n = 18 ). The diagnostic accuracy of Pipelle(R) and Endopap(R) was assessed a gainst the final diagnosis. Results: Endometrial carcinoma was found i n five cases (6%), benign disease in 34 (38%). The sensitivity of Endo pap(R) and Pipelle(R) for the detection of endometrial disease was 56 and 51%, respectively, with a specificity of 94 and 100%, respectively . The sensitivity for endometrial carcinoma was 80% for Endopap(R) and 100% for Pipelle(R). Conclusion: Our data tend to favor Pipelle(R) ag ainst Endopap(R) as diagnostic tool in endometrial disease in symptoma tic postmenopausal women.