USE OF VAGINOSONOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF ENDOMETRIAL THICKNESS IN THEIDENTIFICATION OF ABNORMAL ENDOMETRIUM IN PERIMENOPAUSAL AND POSTMENOPAUSAL BLEEDING

One hundred and seventy seven women with peri- and postmenopausal blee ding were subjected to vaginosonographic examination followed by thoro ugh pathological examination of the uterine curetting samples. A mean endometrial thickness (double layer) of 13.2 +/- 3.6 mm and 8.2 +/- 4. 8 mm were found in those with and without histological abnormalities, respectively. Endometrial thickness of less than 7 mm, however, was fo und to be predictive of normal endometrium (100% sensitivity, 46% spec ificity) and can, therefore, be used to separate those who require dia gnostic curettage from those who do not. These findings suggest that t his relatively simple, noninvasive procedure can be used as a screenin g test for patients with peri- or postmenopausal bleeding. (C) 1994 Jo hn Wiley and Sons, Inc.