Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Preparation and Using Phantom Lesions to Practice Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies
Published on: September 29, 2009
Comparison of endometrial aspiration biopsy techniques: specimen adequacy
Ava R Sierecki1, Deleep Kumar Gudipudi, Nadine Montemarano
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Downtown Hospital, New York 10038, USA.
Objective:
To compare adequacy of specimens obtained by 3 different endometrial aspiration biopsy techniques--corkscrew, modified dilatation and curettage (D&C) and a combination of both, with or without povidone-iodine cervical cleansing.
Study Design:
A retrospective chart review of a single group practice using a single endometrial aspiration biopsy device for all 3 techniques. Each attending indicated their method of use with the device. For diagnostic purposes, specimen adequacy was categorized as "satisfactory," "suboptimal" and "insufficient."
Results:
There were 66 corkscrew, 71 modified D&C and 55 biopsies performed using the combined technique. Mean age was 48; 62.5% were premenopausal and 89% had a normal-sized uterus. Postmenopausal patients were more likely than younger women to have suboptimal or insufficient samples, 27% vs. 11%, respectively. Using the combined technique was better (95%) than the corkscrew alone (77%) for satisfactory specimens. Diagnosis was possible in 90% of specimens.
Conclusion:
The combined technique appears to be better than using either technique alone. Povidone-iodine cervical cleansing is safe but may be unnecessary. Because of the large numbers of endometrial biopsies performed yearly, even a small difference in test characteristics can have significant clinical ramifications.
