ABSTRACT
Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common presenting menstrual complaint in women of perimenopausal age group. Most frequently used diagnostics tests to investigate the causes of abnormal bleeding are Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and endometrial biopsy. Uterine curettage is an invasive procedure and is performed with anaesthesia. TVS is a non-invasive method that has been used to evaluate the endometrium and uterine cavity. The objectives of this study were to measure and evaluate the role and accuracy of endometrial thickness by transvaginal ultrasonography study to detect endometrial pathology in perimenopausal women presenting with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. To correlate the transvaginal sonographic results with the Histopathological findings to discriminate normal from pathological endometrium.Methods: Prospective study including 150 perimenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial thickness was measured by TVS and then D and C was performed for all the patients.Results: Out of 150 women, 128 (85.3%) had normal and 22 (15%) had an abnormal endometrium. 43.3% were of 41-45 years and 65.3% patients presented with complaint of heavy menstrual bleeding. Majority of the patients in the study group were para 2 or more. Fibroid uterus (24%) was the commonest uterine pathology detected on TVS. 53.3% of patients had endometrial thickness in the range 10-14.9 mm. Most common finding on HPE was secretory endometrium (44.6%). Endometrial carcinoma was found in 3%. Endometrial thickness <14mm was associated with least abnormal endometrial pathology.Conclusions: Endometrial thickness of less than 14 mm need not be indicated for D and C in perimenopausal abnormal uterine bleeding. In perimenopausal women with AUB, TVS should be the investigation of choice due to its convenience, accuracy and non- invasiveness.