[Sensitivity and specificity of hysterosonography in endometrial abnormalities in asymptomatic postmenopausal women]

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2004 Oct-Dec;50(4):427-32. doi: 10.1590/s0104-42302004000400035. Epub 2005 Jan 14.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Endometrium / abnormalities*
  • Endometrium / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysteroscopy / methods*
  • Hysteroscopy / standards
  • Myoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Polyps / diagnostic imaging
  • Postmenopause / physiology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography / methods
  • Ultrasonography / standards