Endometrial Aspiration Cytology by Karman's Cannula with Histopathological Correlation

Abstract

Introduction: Dilatation and curettage is the commonly used diagnostic technique to assess endometrial normalcy and pathology. Endometrial aspiration cytology on the other hand is a simple outpatient procedure without the cost of hospitalization, operation theatre & risk of anesthesia inherent in dilatation and curettage. Objectives: The present study was carried out carried out to assess the sensitivity and specificity of endometrial cytology performed by using Karman's cannula compared with histopathology. Materials & Method: Endometrial aspiration was done using 4mm Karman's cannula in 144 cases who presented with dysfunctional uterine bleeding, postmenopausal bleed and infertility prior to dilatation and curettage. The cytological diagnosis was correlated with histopathological diagnosis. Results: Adequate material was obtained in 93.06% of cases on aspiration. Proliferative endometrium was the most common pattern (38.2%) observed. There was an overall 100% correlation in case of secretory endometrium, atypical hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma and 90.9% correlation in case of proliferative endometrium between cytological and histopathological findings. The sensitivity and specificity of endometrial aspiration was 88.31% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: Endometrial aspiration was found to be simple, safe, cost effective, well tolerated outpatient procedure which can be offered to patients as an outpatient sampling technique.