Diagnostic hysteroscopy: a valuable diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of structural intra-cavital pathology and endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma?. Six years of experience with non-clinical diagnostic hysteroscopy

Abstract

Objective: 1045 diagnostic hysteroscopic procedures performed throughout six consecutive years were evaluated, focussing on its value in diagnosing endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma.

Design: Retrospective study performed in the gynaecological endoscopy clinic of a training hospital. Subjects were 1045 pre- and post-menopausal patients.

Results: A normal cavity was found in 54.2%. Most common abnormal findings were fibroids (21.0%) and endometrial polyps (14.4%). Hysteroscopically diagnosed hyperplasia of the endometrium was confirmed histologically in only less than half the cases. Endometrial carcinoma was suspected on hysteroscopic view in two cases of a total of seven proven cases. In three cases initially an endometrial polyp and in two cases a fibroid was diagnosed. Once the diagnosis was missed even after biopsy taking.

Conclusions: Diagnostic hysteroscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool in diagnosing structural intra-cavital pathology, very suitable for the outpatient clinic. The value in diagnosing hyperplasia or endometrial carcinoma is limited and even after guided biopsy a malignancy cannot be ruled out.