Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Introduction

  • Chapter
Diagnosis of Endometrial Biopsies and Curettings

Endometrial biopsies and curettings are among the most common tissue specimens received in the pathology laboratory. In several respects these specimens present a unique challenge for the surgical pathologist. The normal endometrium undergoes a variety of morphologic changes, especially during the reproductive years, when cyclical hormonal influences and pregnancy affect uterine growth. Biopsyinduced artifacts confound this heterogeneous group of morphologic changes. Whether the biopsy is limited or a thorough curettage, the procedure usually is “blind,” with no visualization of the tissue sampled. The final specimen contains multiple, irregularly oriented tissue fragments mixed with blood and contaminatingcervical tissue and mucus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Noyes RW, Hertig AT, Rock J. Dating the endometrial biopsy. Fertil Steril 1950; 1:3–25.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Baitlon O, Hadley JO. Endometrial biopsy. Pathologic findings in 3,600 biopsies from selected patients. Am J Clin Pathol 1975; 63:9–15.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Nickelsen C. Diagnostic and curative value of uterine curettage. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1980; 65:693–697.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Van Bogaert L-J, Maldague P, Staquet J-P. Endometrial biopsy interpretation. Shortcomings and problems in current gynecologic practice. Obstet Gynecol 1978; 51:25–28.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Galle PC, McRae MA. Abnormal uterine bleeding. Finding and treating the cause. Postgrad Med 1993; 93:73–81.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Speroff L, Glass RH, Kase NG. Clinical gynecologic endocrinology and infertility. 6th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Merrill JA. The interpretation of endometrial biopsies. Clin Obstet Gynecol 1991; 34:211–221.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Fleischer AC, Jones HW, III. Early detection of ovarian and endometrial cancer with transvaginal and color Doppler sonography. In: Fleischer AC, Manning FA, Jeanty P, Romero R, eds. Sonography in obstetrics and gynecology. Principles and practice. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2001: 1001–1017.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Stovall TG, Solomon SK, Ling FW. Endometrial sampling prior to hysterectomy. Obstet Gynecol 1989; 73:405–409.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Archer DF, McIntyre-Seltman K, Wilborn WW, Dowling EA, Cone F, Creasy GW, et al. Endometrial morphology in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991; 165:317–322.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Goldfarb JM, Little AB. Abnormal vaginal bleeding. N Engl J Med 1980; 302:666–669.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Povey WG. Abnormal uterine bleeding at puberty and climacteric. Clin Obstet Gynecol 1970; 13:474–488.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Stenchever MA. Differential diagnosis of major gynecologic problems by age groups. In: Stenchever MA, Droegemueller W, Herbst AL, Mishell DR, Jr, eds. Comprehensive gynecology. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2001: 155–177.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Butler WJ. Normal and abnormal uterine bleeding. In: Rock JA, Jones HW, III, eds. Te Linde’s operative gynecology. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2003: 457–481.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kilbourn CL, Richards CS. Abnormal uterine bleeding. Diagnostic considerations, management options. Postgrad Med 2001; 109:137–4, 147.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Wren BG. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Aust Fam Phys 1998; 27:371–377.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Rubin SC. Postmenopausal bleeding: Etiology, evaluation, and management. Med Clin N Am 1987; 71:59–69.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Schindler AE, Schmidt G. Post-menopausal bleeding: A study of more than 1000 cases. Maturitas 1980; 2:269–274.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Van Bogaert L-J. Clinicopathologic findings in endometrial polyps. Obstet Gynecol 1988; 71:771–773.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Choo YC, Mak KC, Hsu C, Wong TS, Ma HK. Postmenopausal uterine bleeding of nonorganic cause. Obstet Gynecol 1985; 66:225–228.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Mencaglia L, Perino A, Hamou J. Hysteroscopy in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding. J Reprod Med 1987; 32:577–582.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Pacheco JC, Kempers RD. Etiology of postmenopausal bleeding. Obstet Gynecol 1968; 32:40–46.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Lidor A, Ismajovich B, Confino E, David MP. Histopathological findings in 226 women with post-menopausal uterine bleeding. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1983; 65:41–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Moghal N. Diagnostic value of endometrial curettage in abnormal uterine bleeding—a histopathological study. J Pak Med Assoc 1997; 47:295–299.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Meyer WC, Malkasian GD, Dockerty MB, Decker DG. Postmenopausal bleeding from atrophic endometrium. Obstet Gynecol 1971; 38:731–738.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Gambrell RD. Postmenopausal bleeding. J Am Geriatr Soc 1974; 22:337–343.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Scurry J, Brand A, Sheehan P, Planner R. High-grade endometrial carcinoma in secretory endometrium in young women. a report of five cases. Gynecol Oncol 1996; 60:224–227.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Upstate Medical University, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210

    Michael T. Mazur MD (Clinical Professor of Pathology)

  2. ClearPath Diagnostics, Syracuse, NY 13202, USA

    Michael T. Mazur MD (Clinical Professor of Pathology)

  3. Departments of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA

    Robert J. Kurman MD (Richard W. TeLinde, Distinguished Professor)

  4. The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA

    Robert J. Kurman MD (Richard W. TeLinde, Distinguished Professor)

Authors
  1. Michael T. Mazur MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert J. Kurman MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mazur, M.T., Kurman, R.J. (2005). Introduction. In: Diagnosis of Endometrial Biopsies and Curettings. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-26321-2_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-26321-2_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-98615-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-26321-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation