Diagnostic accuracy of pipelle biopsy in endometrial pathologies

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Pipelle biopsy as compared to endometrium of hysterectomy specimen [gold standard] in various gynaecological abnormalities pertaining to endometrium. This validation study was carried out in the Department of Histopathology, Army Medical College in collaboration with Department of Gynaecology, Military Hospital Rawalpindi from Feb 2008 to Jan 2009. Consenting 100 patients undergoing hysterectomy for various indications at Military Hospital Rawalpindi during the study period fitting the inclusion criteria were incorporated. The preoperative Pipelle and subsequent hysterectomy samples were both delivered to the laboratory in 10% formal saline. Pipelle samples were embedded as such. From the hysterectomy specimen, three representative sections were taken from endomyometrium. Both the samples were processed in automated tissue processor. Paraffin blocks of Pipelle and gold standard were made in paraffin embedding machine. Through rotary microtome, 3-5 micrometer thickness sections were made. Sections were stained by haematoxylin and eosin in autostainer and then mounted. The slides were then examined by resident histopathologist and final diagnosis was given by consultant histopathologist. Endometrial hyperplasia without atypia was a frequent pathology detected on Pipelle accounting for 16% of all cases. Diagnostic accuracy of Pipelle sampling in chronic endometritis, endometrial hyperplasia