Hysteroscopic endometrial peeling as a different approach to endometrial scratching. Case series report.

STUDY QUESTION: Does hysteroscopic endometrial peeling improve reproductive outcomes in women with implantation failure? DESIGN: In this case series, 66 women underwent an hysteroscopic endometrial peeling and subsequently, a single frozen embryo transfer. RESULTS: After the exclusion of patients with intraoperative incidental findings, pregnancy was achieved in 63% (42/66) of the women who underwent hysteroscopic endometrial peeling and subsequently a single frozen embryo transfer, clinical pregnancy rate was observed in 57% (38/66) of the patients and, clinical pregnancy loss occurred in 10% (4/38). CONCLUSION: this novel surgical technique seems to increase implantation as well as clinical pregnancy rates in women with repeated implantation failure. We can hypothesize that the controlled and subtle degree of endometrial injury generated by the peeling generates an inflammatory cascade that enhances implantation.

Cirurgia ginecológica e COVID-19: qual o impacto e como devo conduzir? / Gynecological Surgery and COVID-19: What is the Impact and How Should I Manage it?

Estima-se que cerca de 28 milhões de cirurgias sejam postergadas ou canceladas no mundo em decorrência desta pandemia, causando atraso no diagnóstico e tratamento de mais de 2 milhões de casos oncológicos. No Brasil, tanto a ANS (Agência Nacional de Saúde) como a Anvisa (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária) orientaram o adiamento das cirurgias eletivas e não essenciais, tendo um impacto considerável no número de procedimentos cirúrgicos, com diminuição de 33,4% neste período no Brasil. No entanto, algumas mulheres necessitam de tratamento para várias doenças ginecológicas, algumas das quais não podem ser adiadas. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar recomendações sobre o tratamento cirúrgico durante a pandemia de COVID-19.(AU)

Hysteroscopic and aspiration biopsies in the histologic evaluation of the endometrium, a comparative study.

This study aimed to compare the quality of histological endometrial samples collected through Pipelle aspiration and hysteroscopic biopsies to assess the agreement between these 2 biopsies in the histological diagnosis of malignancy and to compare the costs of both biopsies.This was a cross-sectional study. Forty-five women were biopsied, first using Pipelle and immediately after using hysteroscopy. The material collected was sent for analysis, and hysteroscopy was considered the gold standard. The results were divided into the following 3 categories: normal (atrophic, proliferative, and secretory endometrium); polyps; and malignancies. We report the agreement between Pipelle and hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of malignancy and compare their costs.The study showed that while analyzing endometrial malignancies, Pipelle sampling had 100% sensitivity and specificity. In the detection of polyps, Pipelle sampling showed 26.1% sensitivity, 88.9% specificity, 75% positive predictive value, 48.5% negative predictive value, and 53.7% accuracy. Agreement with hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of malignancy was 100%. The Pipelle device costs 27 times less than hysteroscopic biopsy for health insurance companies. This cost is 13.7 times lower in the Brazilian Unified Health System.Endometrial biopsies using the Pipelle have a high accuracy for endometrial cancer and a low accuracy for polyps. We detected 100% agreement between the reports of Pipelle and hysteroscopy with regard to malignancy. Pipelle is the most cost-effective method of endometrial biopsy.

High-resolution microendoscopy: a point-of-care diagnostic for cervical dysplasia in low-resource settings.

Cervical cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death among women in low-to-middle income countries. Pap testing and pathological services are difficult to implement under these settings. Alternative techniques for the diagnosis of cervical precancer in these settings are needed to reduce the burden of the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a low-cost, high-resolution microendoscope imaging system in identifying precancerous lesions of the cervix in vivo. A retrospective study of 59 patients undergoing colposcopy for an abnormal Pap test was performed at Hospital de Câncer de Barretos in Brazil. All patients underwent colposcopy as per standard of care, and acetowhite lesions were recorded. High-resolution microendoscopy (HRME) images were obtained from one colposcopically normal region and from all lesions observed on colposcopy. Biopsies of abnormal areas were obtained and reviewed by three independent, blinded pathologists and compared with HRME findings. The mean nuclear area and the median nuclear eccentricity were calculated from HRME images acquired from each site. A diagnostic algorithm to distinguish histopathologically diagnosed cervical intraepithelial neoplasias of grade 2 or more severe lesions (high grade) from less severe lesions (low grade) was developed using these parameters. A test of trend was used to analyze the relationship between HRME positivity and severity of histopathogical diagnosis. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze differences in HRME positivity between high-grade and low-grade lesions. Evaluable images were obtained from 108 of 143 discrete sites. Of these, 71 sites were colposcopically normal or low grade according to histopathology and 37 were diagnosed as high grade on the basis of histopathology. Using the mean nuclear area and the median nuclear eccentricity, HRME images from 59 colposcopically abnormal sites were classified as high grade or low grade with 92% sensitivity and 77% specificity compared with histopathological findings. Increasing HRME positivity showed a significant trend with increasing severity of diagnosis (Ptrend<0.001). We found a strong association (P<0.001) between HRME positivity and a histopathological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 2 or higher. HRME demonstrated an accurate in-situ diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia. In low-resource settings in which colposcopy and histopathology services are severely limited or unavailable, HRME may provide a low-cost, accurate method for diagnosis of cervical precancer without the need for biopsy, allowing for a single 'screen-and-treat' approach.

[Influence of the level of training of the specialist in intra and post operative pain in patients who undergo officinal hysteroscopy ]. / Influencia del nivel de adiestramiento del especialista en dolor intra y posoperatorio en pacientes a quienes se efectúa histeroscopia en el consultorio.

BACKGROUNDS: There are variable results regarding the risk factors associated with levels of pain during office hysteroscopy. OBJECTIVE: Describe levels of pain in Colombian patients who undergo office hysteroscopy performed by doctors in training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case series study. Conducted in patients who undergo office hysteroscopy without anesthesia in outpatient clinic in May 2012. The procedure was performed by Gynecologists in training and under supervision of the specialist. The Obstetric and Gynecological history was obtained through questionnaire. The pain perception, according to visual analog scale (VAS), was taken at three moments during the study: (1) 5 minutes before the procedure, (2) At the end of the procedure, (3) 10 minutes after the procedure.The major outcomes were: VAS 0-4, considered as absent or mild pain and VAS 5-10 considered as moderate or severe pain. RESULTS: We studied 44 patients, aged between 29 and 65 years. The group of patients with a VAS score >5 was mainly compose by: (1) Patients older than 50 years (58.8%), (2) with positive history of C-section (66.7%), (3) with positive history of abortion (75%) and menopausal (56.3%). CONCLUSION: 47.7% of our patients presentVAS score > 5. The majority of this group was composed by patients with risk factors to have pain during office hysteroscopy. Then we can't conclude that the level of pain experimented by our patients was due to the level of training of the doctors.

[Comparative study of transvaginal sonography and outpatient hysteroscopy for detection of pathologic endometrial lesions in postmenopausal women]. / Comparação do ultrassom transvaginal e da histeroscopia ambulatorial no diagnóstico das doenças endometriais em mulheres menopausadas.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficiency of transvaginal sonography and outpatient hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of intrauterine pathology in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Two-hundred and forty-three postmenopausal women were selected. All women had undergone outpatient hysteroscopy in the year 2006. These women were referred from the Basic Healthcare Units in Campinas, where they underwent ultrasonography for the evaluation of the endometrial cavity. RESULTS: The mean age of these women was 61+/-9.4 years. These women were menopausal for 11+/-8.3 years.. We observed 6.6% cases of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. The ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 95.6%, a specificity of 7.4%, a positive predictive value of 53.3% and a negative predictive value of 60%, while the hysteroscopy had 95.7%, 83%, 82.2% and 95.9% respectively. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopy was a more accurate method for the detection of intrauterine pathology than ultrasonography.

Comparação do ultrassom transvaginal e da histeroscopia ambulatorial no diagnóstico das doenças endometriais em mulheres menopausadas / Comparative study of transvaginal sonography and outpatient hysteroscopy for detection of pathologic endometrial lesions in postmenopausal women

OBJETIVO: Comparar a eficácia do ultrassom transvaginal e da histeroscopia diagnóstica ambulatorial no diagnóstico das doenças intrauterinas em mulheres menopausadas. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas 243 mulheres menopausadas que se submeteram a uma histeroscopia diagnóstica no ano de 2006. Todas essas mulheres vieram encaminhadas da rede básica de saúde após terem realizado um ultrassom transvaginal para avaliar a cavidade endometrial. RESULTADOS: As mulheres tinham em média 61±9,4 anos e encontravam-se na menopausa em média há 11±8,3 anos. Observamos 6,6 por cento de casos de hiperplasia endometrial e câncer de endométrio. O ultrassom apresentou uma sensibilidade de 95,6 por cento, uma especificidade de 7,4 por cento, um valor preditivo positivo de 53,3 por cento e valor preditivo negativo de 60 por cento, enquanto a histeroscopia apresentou 95,7 por cento; 83 por cento; 82,2 por cento e 95,9 por cento, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: A histeroscopia apresentou maior acurácia que o ultrassom no diagnóstico das doenças endometriais.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficiency of transvaginal sonography and outpatient hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of intrauterine pathology in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Two-hundred and forty-three postmenopausal women were selected. All women had undergone outpatient hysteroscopy in the year 2006. These women were referred from the Basic Healthcare Units in Campinas, where they underwent ultrasonography for the evaluation of the endometrial cavity. RESULTS: The mean age of these women was 61±9.4 years. These women were menopausal for 11±8.3 years.. We observed 6.6 percent cases of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. The ultrasonography had a sensitivy of 95.6 percent, a specificity of 7.4 percent, a positive predictive value of 53.3 percent and a negative predictive value of 60 percent, while the hysteroscopy had 95.7 percent, 83 percent, 82.2 percent and 95.9 percent respectively. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopy was a more accurate method for the detection of intrauterine pathology than ultrasonography.

[Hysteroscopy in menopause: analysis of the techniques and accuracy of the method]. / Histeroscopia na menopausa: análise das técnicas e acurácia do método.

Detection of endometrial cancer in asymptomatic women has not proved to be a cost-effective procedure. Studies on this matter have shown that ultrasonography as a detecting method presents a high ratio of false-positive results and a negligible effect on the mortality rate. This way, the assistance strategy should be based on earlier diagnosis and appropriate treatment in women who present postmenopause bleeding. Being a non-invasive method, largely available and with high sensitivity, the transvaginal ultrasonography should be the initial investigative method. Though there is no consensus about the echographical endometrial thickness, above which the investigation is to proceed, diagnostic hysteroscopy should be the next step. The risk of neoplasia in endometriums with thickness under or equal to 3 mm is low enough to limit hysteroscopy to exceptional cases. Biopsy must be a necessary part of the hysteroscopy, because the diagnosis, made on visual basis, alone may lead to false results. Outpatient hysteroscopy can be done in more than 95% of the cases, even in menopausal women, rarely with severe complications. The adoption of "non-contact" examination techniques and the progressive reduction of the hysteroscope diameter have decreased the discomfort associated to small outpatient procedures.

Hysteroscopy as a standard procedure for assessing endometrial lesions among postmenopausal women

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent type of malignant neoplasia of the genital tract. The objective of this study was to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive and negative predictive values for diagnostic hysteroscopy, in comparison with histopathological tests, for all lesions of the endometrial cavity. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective descriptive study at the public tertiary-level university hospital of Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Diagnostic hysteroscopy was indicated in the following instances: endometrial thickness > 4 mm in asymptomatic patients; postmenopausal bleeding; and irregular endometrium or endometrium difficult to assess from ultrasound, with or without vaginal bleeding. Ultrasound evaluations were carried out no more than three months prior to hysteroscopy. RESULTS: There were 510 patients, with a mean age of 61.1 ± 2.0 years and mean time elapsed since the menopause of 12.7 ± 2.5 years. Endometrial biopsies were performed on 293 patients (57.5 percent). Histopathological analysis showed that 18 patients presented endometrial carcinoma or typical or atypical hyperplasia, and none of them presented endometrial thickness of less than 8 mm. No significant differences were found between the median thicknesses of the various benign lesions (p > 0.05). In our data, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive and negative predictive values for cancer or hyperplasia were 94.4 percent, 97.0 percent, 96.8 percent, 68 percent and 99.6 percent, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hysteroscopy is valuable as a diagnostic tool for malignant/hyperplastic and benign lesions, except for submucous myomas, for which the sensitivity was only 52.6 percent.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O câncer endometrial é o tipo mais prevalente de neoplasia maligna do trato genital. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: calcular a sensibilidade, especifi cidade e acurácia, bem como valor preditivo positivo e negativo das histeroscopias diagnósticas em comparação com a análise histopatológica de todas as lesões da cavidade endometrial. DESENHO E LOCAL: Estudo retrospectivo e descritivo no setor de endoscopia ginecológica do hospital universitário, terciário e público da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: A histeroscopia diagnóstica foi indicada nas seguintes situações: espessura endometrial > 4 mm em pacientes assintomáticas, sangramento na pós-menopausa, endométrio irregular ou endométrio de difícil avaliação pelo ultra-som, com ou sem sangramento vaginal. A avaliação ultra-sonográfi ca foi realizada não mais que três meses antes da histeroscopia. RESULTADOS: A idade média das pacientes foi 61,1 ± 2,0 anos, e a duração média do período pós-menopausa foi de 12,7 ± 2,5 anos. Das 510 pacientes, 293 (57,5 por cento) foram submetidas à biópsia endometrial, no estudo histopatológico, 18 pacientes apresentavam carcinoma endometrial, hiperplasia típica ou atípica e nenhuma delas apresentava espessura endometrial maior que 8 mm. Nenhuma diferença signifi cativa foi encontrada entre as espessuras medianas das várias lesões benignas (p > 0,05). A sensibilidade (94,4 por cento), especifi cidade (97 por cento), acurácia (96,8 por cento) e valores preditivos positivo e negativo (68 por cento e 99,6 por cento respectivamente) foram altos em nosso estudo. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que a histeroscopia diagnóstica apresenta boa validade como ferramenta diagnóstica para lesões malignas e hiperplasias, bem como para lesões benignas, com exceção dos leiomiomas submucosos, para o qual a sensibilidade foi de somente 52,6 por cento.

Hysteroscopy as a standard procedure for assessing endometrial lesions among postmenopausal women.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent type of malignant neoplasia of the genital tract. The objective of this study was to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive and negative predictive values for diagnostic hysteroscopy, in comparison with histopathological tests, for all lesions of the endometrial cavity. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective descriptive study at the public tertiary-level university hospital of Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Diagnostic hysteroscopy was indicated in the following instances: endometrial thickness > 4 mm in asymptomatic patients; postmenopausal bleeding; and irregular endometrium or endometrium difficult to assess from ultrasound, with or without vaginal bleeding. Ultrasound evaluations were carried out no more than three months prior to hysteroscopy. RESULTS: There were 510 patients, with a mean age of 61.1+/-2.0 years and mean time elapsed since the menopause of 12.7+/-2.5 years. Endometrial biopsies were performed on 293 patients (57.5%). Histopathological analysis showed that 18 patients presented endometrial carcinoma or typical or atypical hyperplasia, and none of them presented endometrial thickness of less than 8 mm. No significant differences were found between the median thicknesses of the various benign lesions (p > 0.05). In our data, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive and negative predictive values for cancer or hyperplasia were 94.4%, 97.0%, 96.8%, 68% and 99.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hysteroscopy is valuable as a diagnostic tool for malignant/hyperplastic and benign lesions, except for submucous myomas, for which the sensitivity was only 52.6%.

[Diagnosis of uterine synechiae in patients with recurrent miscarriages: contribution of transvaginal hysterosonography]. / Diagnóstico de sinéquias uterinas por histerossonografia transvaginal.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of uterine synechiae in patients with recurrent miscarriages and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound and of hysterosonography. METHODS: Sixty non-pregnant patients with a history of at least three previous consecutive miscarriages were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography and hysteroscopy to detect uterine synechiae. Hysteroscopy was considered the gold standard. Agreement of findings disclosed by transvaginal ultrasound and by the hysterosonography were evaluated according to the Kappa coefficient and their significance was tested. Significance was established at < 0. 05 (Alpha error = 5%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were determined for each method. RESULTS: Uterine synechiae were identified in 16 patients (26.7%). The accuracy of the transvaginal ultrasound and of the hysterosonography was 78.9% and 92.7%, respectively. When compared to the transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography had a much greater sensitivity (78. % vs. 20.0%) and a higher degree of agreement with hysteroscopy (Kappa = 80% vs. Kappa = 27%). CONCLUSION: For diagnosis of uterine synechiae, hysterosonography had a higher level of agreement with hysteroscopy than the transvaginal ultrasound. In patients with recurrent miscarriages transvaginal ultrasound is not recommended for the investigation of uterine synechiae because of its low sensitivity. Hysterosonography, on the other hand, seems to offer an important contribution especially because it is a simple, low-cost and accurate method for diagnosis of uterine synechiae.

Diagnóstico de sinéquias uterinas por histerossonografia transvaginal / Diagnosis of uterine synechiae in patients with recurrent miscarriages: contribution of transvaginal hysterosonography

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de sinéquias uterinas em pacientes com aborto recorrente e a acurácia diagnóstica da ultra-sonografia transvaginal (US-TV) e da histerossonografia (HS). MÉTODOS: Sessenta pacientes não grávidas com passado de três ou mais abortos espontâneos consecutivos foram avaliadas por US-TV, HS e histeroscopia (HTC) para a pesquisa de sinéquias uterinas. A HTC foi considerada o padrão ouro do estudo. A concordância dos achados da US-TV e da HS foram avaliadas pelo coeficiente Kappa e sua significância foi testada. O nível de significância adotado foi de 0,05 (alfa = 5 por cento). Foram calculadas as medidas de sensibilidade, especificidade e valor preditivo positivo e negativo para cada um dos métodos. RESULTADOS: Observou-se a presença de sinéquias uterinas em 16 (26,7 por cento) pacientes. A acurácia da US-TV e da HS foram, respectivamente, de 78,9 por cento e 92,7 por cento. Comparativamente à US-TV, a HS foi muito superior quanto à sensibilidade (78,6 por cento versus 20 por cento) e concordância com a HTC (Kappa = 80 por cento versus Kappa = 27 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se boa concordância da HS e concordância ruim da US-TV em relação à HTC para o diagnóstico de sinéquias uterinas. Devido à sua baixa sensibilidade, a US-TV não demonstrou ser um método aplicável à investigação de sinéquias uterinas em pacientes com aborto recorrente. A HS, por sua vez, parece oferecer importante contribuição nesta pesquisa, particularmente por sua simplicidade técnica, baixo custo e elevada acurácia diagnóstica.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of uterine synechiae in patients with recurrent miscarriages and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound and of hysterosonography. METHODS: Sixty non-pregnant patients with a history of at least three previous consecutive miscarriages were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography and hysteroscopy to detect uterine synechiae. Hysteroscopy was considered the gold standard. Agreement of findings disclosed by transvaginal ultrasound and by the hysterosonography were evaluated according to the Kappa coefficient and their significance was tested. Significance was established at < 0. 05 (Alpha error = 5 percent). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were determined for each method. RESULTS: Uterine synechiae were identified in 16 patients (26.7 percent). The accuracy of the transvaginal ultrasound and of the hysterosonography was 78.9 percent and 92.7 percent, respectively. When compared to the transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography had a much greater sensitivity (78. percent vs. 20.0 percent) and a higher degree of agreement with hysteroscopy (Kappa = 80 percent vs. Kappa = 27 percent). CONCLUSION: For diagnosis of uterine synechiae, hysterosonography had a higher level of agreement with hysteroscopy than the transvaginal ultrasound. In patients with recurrent miscarriages transvaginal ultrasound is not recommended for the investigation of uterine synechiae because of its low sensitivity. Hysterosonography, on the other hand, seems to offer an important contribution especially because it is a simple, low-cost and accurate method for diagnosis of uterine synechiae.

[Hysterosonography: evaluation of the uterine cavity in women with abnormal uterine bleeding]. / Histerossonografia: avaliação da cavidade uterina com sangramento anormal.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of sonohysterography with that of hysteroscopy and ultrasonography for the diagnosis of uterine alterations with abnormal uterine bleeding. METHODS: Fifty three patients scheduled for hysteroscopy at the Hysteroscopy Sector of the Women's Hospital (CAISM) at the "Universidade Estadual de Campinas" (Brazil) were included in the study. Sensitivity and specificity of the three propaedeutic methods were compared using histology as the gold standard. RESULTS: Sensitivity of sonohysterography and of hysteroscopy was 94% and that of ultrasonography 83%. The specificity of sonohysterography was 77%, of hysteroscopy 91% and of ultrasonography 69%. There were no significant differences between sensitivities of the three methods. However, a significant difference was found between the specificity of ultrasonography and hysteroscopy. Sonohysterography demonstrated a much greater capability than ultrasonography to identify endometrial polyps. CONCLUSION: Sonohysterography may be used to complement ultrasonography and to substitute hysteroscopy, for the diagnosis of alterations that result in abnormal uterine bleeding.

Histerossonografia: avaliação da cavidade uterina com sangramento anormal / Hysterosonography: evaluation of the uterine cavity in women with abnormal uterine bleeding

OBJETIVO: Comparar a acurácia da histerossonografia com as da histeroscopia e da USG no diagnóstico das alterações uterinas em mulheres com sangramento uterino anormal. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídas 53 pacientes que estavam agendadas para realização de histeroscopia no Setor de Histeroscopia do CAISM/UNICAMP. Comparou-se a sensibilidade e especificidade dos três métodos propedêuticos utilizando a histologia como padrão ouro. RESULTADOS: A sensibilidade da histerossonografia e da histeroscopia foi de 94 por cento e a da USG 83 por cento. A especificidade da histerossonografia foi de 77 por cento, da histeroscopia de 91 por cento e da USG 69 por cento. As diferenças entre as sensibilidades dos três métodos não foram estatisticamente significativas, no entanto observou-se diferença significativa entre a especificidade da USG e da histeroscopia. A histerossonografia mostrou maior capacidade que a ultra-sonografia de identificar pólipos endometriais. CONCLUSÃO: A histerossonografia pode ser utilizada como método complementar à USG e substituto da histeroscopia para o diagnóstico de alterações que levam ao sangramento uterino anormal.

[Sensitivity and specificity of hysterosonography in endometrial abnormalities in asymptomatic postmenopausal women]. / Sensibilidade e especificidade da histerossonografia nas afecções endometriais em mulheres assintomáticas pós-menopausa.

BACKGROUND: To estimate sensitivity and specificity of hysterosonography for diagnosis of endometrial cavity abnormalities. The gold-standard was hysteroscopy; to compare the agreement between ultrasonographic, hysterosonographic and hysteroscopic findings using the KIA (Kappa Index Agreement). METHODS: Fifty asymptomatic postmenopausal women that had a suspicion of endometrial abnormalities based upon transvaginal ultrasonography were studied. Hysterosonography, diagnostic hysteroscopy and oriented biopsy were performed and the Kia was used to compare results. RESULTS: The most frequent abnormalities were polyps (58%), synechiae (20%), submucous myoma (12%) and endometrial thickening (6%). The uterine cavity was considered normal in 4% of the evaluations by hysteroscopy. The sensitivity of hysterosonography to diagnose polyps was of 89.7%, the specificity of 81.0% and the KIA of 71.1%. For synechia sensitivity of hysterosonography was of 80%, specificity of 100% and the KIA of 86.5%; for submucous myoma sensitivity was of 83.3%; specificity of 97.7% and the KIA of 81.1%, and for endometrial thickening, sensitivity was of 33.3%, specificity of 89.4% and the KIA of 15.5%. CONCLUSION: Hysterosonography showed very good agreement with hysteroscopy for the diagnosis of synechiae and submucous myomas; good agreement for polyps and poor agreement for endometrial thickening. Based upon this data hysterosonography may be deemed a simple, efficient, and accurate method for the evaluation of the uterine cavity in the postmenopausal period.

Detection of chronic endometritis by diagnostic hysteroscopy in asymptomatic infertile patients.

Chronic endometritis has been related to infertility and recurrent abortion. It is usually asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is rarely clinically suspected. We performed a prospective study to evaluate both the role of diagnostic hysteroscopy in the detection of chronic endometritis in infertile patients and Chlamydia trachomatis is a potential etiologic factor. Fifty consecutive patients who sought treatment for infertility in a tertiary academic hospital were submitted to diagnostic hysteroscopy and an endometrial biopsy for histopathological study and for diagnosis of C. trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction. The patients' mean age was 33.7 +/- (SD) 5.4 years, and the duration of the couples' infertility ranged from 1 to 18 years. The overall prevalence of chronic endometritis was 12% (6 patients). Among all patients, no cases of chlamydial infection were detected by polymerase chain reaction. In the detection of chronic endometritis, with 95% confidence intervals, the hysteroscopy sensitivity was 16.7% (range 0.9-63,5%), the specificity was 93.2% (range 80.3-98.2%), the positive predictive value was 25% (range 1.3-78.1%), and the negative predictive value was 89.1% (range 65.6-95.9%). These data suggest that hysteroscopy is not useful in the screening for chronic endometritis in asymptomatic infertile women. Further studies are needed to establish the etiology of endometritis in infertile patients.

Formatos para preparación e informe de histeroscopia

El desarrollo de los procedimientos endoscópicos, ha hecho de la histeroscopia, un examen cada día más frecuente. En este artículo se realiza un análisis de los formatos educativos, utilizados previamente al procedimiento, los consentimientos o autorizaciones y los informes de los hallazgos encontrados. Se presentan tres modelos, con el fin de difundirlos y de unificar el informe de histeroscopia diagnóstica, en este momento en el cual, este método diagnósticom se está generalizando, permitiendo futuros análisis comparativos, entre diferentes regiones del país