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Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2/2011

Open Access 01-02-2011 | General Gynecology

Clinical evaluation of women with PMB. Is it always necessary an endometrial biopsy to be performed? A review of the literature

Authors: Marina Dimitraki, Panagiotis Tsikouras, Sophia Bouchlariotou, Alexandros Dafopoulos, Vasileios Liberis, Georgios Maroulis, Alexander Tobias Teichmann

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 2/2011

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Abstract

Background

Endometrial carcinoma is the most distressing cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding. The intention of clinical management in the case of postmenopausal bleeding is to achieve an accurate diagnosis without overinvestigation.

Method

We studied the available literature on the diagnostic evaluation of postmenopausal women with vaginal bleeding, accentuating the most important aspects on this topic: the accuracy of sonography and endometrial biopsy in predicting endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma.

Results

The accuracy of the above tests in predicting endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma is a subject of continuing debate. Μοreover, in the last decades, there has been an explosion of publications indicating that ultrasound may be useful in predicting endometrial pathology.

Conclusion

Since advanced endometrial carcinoma has been known to occur in cases without noticeable endometrial thickness on ultrasound, the clinician should beware of the diagnostic evaluation of postmenopausal women with vaginal bleeding.
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Metadata
Title
Clinical evaluation of women with PMB. Is it always necessary an endometrial biopsy to be performed? A review of the literature
Authors
Marina Dimitraki
Panagiotis Tsikouras
Sophia Bouchlariotou
Alexandros Dafopoulos
Vasileios Liberis
Georgios Maroulis
Alexander Tobias Teichmann
Publication date
01-02-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1601-3

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