DIAGNOSTIC-VALUE OF VAGINOSONOGRAPHY FOR THE EARLY DETECTION OF ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMAS

Objective: The purpose of our study was to examine the diagnostic valu e of the biometry of the endometrium for the early detection of endome trial carcinomas in postmenopausal women as well as to compare our res ults with those of other authors. Methods: In 169 postmenopausal women the endometrial thickness measured by vaginosonography before diagnos tic curettage or hysterectomy was compared with the histological resul ts. Results: Using a cutoff value of 6 mm, a sensitivity of 96%, a spe cificity of 24%, a positive predictive value of 16%, and a negative pr edictive value of 97% were established. Conclusions: Endovaginal ultra sound evaluation of the endometrial thickness is not specific enough t o be used as screening method for the early detection of endometrial c arcinoma.