The value of diagnostic hysteroscopy before operative hysteroscopy for suspected abnormal intrauterine findings.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic office hysteroscopy in the detection of abnormal uterine findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and compare it with the accuracy of operative hysteroscopy.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of all women after operative hysteroscopy between 2010 and 2012 in our institution (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

The department of gynecology in a tertiary referral medical center.

PATIENTS

One hundred thirty-two patients with a mean age of 48 years after diagnostic office hysteroscopy and subsequent operative hysteroscopy.

INTERVENTIONS

Operative hysteroscopy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We collected demographic and clinical data from patients' charts. The indications as well as findings of the previous diagnostic modality (transvaginal ultrasound [TVUS] and diagnostic hysteroscopy) were gathered and compared with the final tissue diagnosis obtained via operative hysteroscopy. Positive predictive values in diagnostic hysteroscopy were calculated for common pathological intrauterine findings. Forty-eight patients (37%) were menopausal, and 84 (63%) were premenopausal. The indications for hysteroscopy were abnormal uterine bleeding in 46% of patients and suspected uterine finding in 44%. A TVUS preceded the diagnostic hysteroscopy in 105 women (80%). Older female age, menopausal status, and abnormal intrauterine findings larger than 15 mm were associated with significantly greater true-positive rates on diagnostic hysteroscopy (i.e., the suspected findings on diagnostic hysteroscopy were verified by final pathology). Uterine bleeding during the interval between procedures was marginally significant and associated with greater false-positive results. Bleeding as opposed to routine evaluation of uterine cavity, interval between procedures, location of intrauterine finding, and hormone replacement therapy were not associated with greater true-positive values.

CONCLUSION

Although diagnostic hysteroscopy is superior to TVUS in the assessment of polyps, it contributes little to TVUS when myomas and endometrial hyperplasia are suspected. Therefore, it should not be used routinely as an interface between TVUS and operative hysteroscopy when such findings such are suspected. Furthermore, in premenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding between diagnostic and operative procedures and when small (<15 mm) polyps are suspected, it might be worthwhile to repeat a diagnostic procedure before operative hysteroscopy.