Comparison of transvaginal sonography with endometrial biopsy in asymptomatic postmenopausal women

The purpose of this study was to compare TVS with endometrial biopsy as a screening technique in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Asymptomatic postmenopausal women were recruited by newspaper advertisement. Each study patient was subjected to pelvic examination and TVS followed by endometrial biopsy. Patients with suspected endometrial abnormalities by TVS (normal by endometrial biopsy) were evaluated further with hysteroscopy with biopsy or D&C or both. Eight patients were identified as having abnormalities by TVS, only one of whom had abnormalities by initial endometrial biopsy. Two patients were identified as having abnormalities by endometrial biopsy and normal by TVS. Further evaluation of the seven patients identified as having abnormalities by TVS (normal by endometrial biopsy) documented all seven patients as having abnormalities. The total yield of abnormalities with TVS was 16% (eight of 50 patients). The total yield of abnormalities with endometrial biopsy was 6% (three of 50 patients). The sensitivity of TVS in identifying endometrial abnormalities was 80% (eight of 10), while endometrial biopsy was only 30% (three of 10). TVS was more sensitive in detecting endometrial abnormalities, including endometrial hyperplasia, than was endometrial biopsy. The use of endometrial biopsy as a screening technique in asymptomatic postmenopausal patients is questioned.