Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the endometrial
pipelle (Unimar, Wilton, CT) in detecting intrauterine chorionic villi, as
compared to standard suction dilation and curettage (D and C).
Design: Prospective clinical study.
Setting: U. S. Navy Hospital near Tokyo, Japan. Small community hospital.
Patient(s): All patients presenting for the surgical management of an early
abnormal gestation were enrolled prospectively. The patient's age, gravidy
, parity, estimated gestational age (EGA), diagnosis, preoperative beta hum
an chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG) level, and preoperative transvaginal u
ltrasound (TVUS) data were recorded.
Intervention(s): An endometrial biopsy was performed in the operating room
prior to standard suction dilatation and curettage (D and C).
Main Outcome Measure(s): The presence of chorionic villi in the endometrial
biopsy and curettage specimens were recorded for each patient.
Result(s): The sensitivity of the endometrial pipelle in detecting intraute
rine chorionic villi was 63% and the specificity was 80%.
Conclusion(s): In the diagnosis of an early abnormal gestation, particularl
y in excluding an ectopic pregnancy, it would be ideal to replace the more
invasive D and C with the outpatient endometrial biopsy in detecting intrau
terine chorionic villi. However, the limited sensitivity of the endometrial
biopsy limits its application in this clinical scenario. Our results compa
re with two previous studies and add to the limited patient database on thi
s topic. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;74:593-5. (C) 2000 by American Society for
Reproductive Medicine.).