VALUE OF ENDOMETRIAL THICKNESS MEASUREMENT FOR DIAGNOSING ENDOMETRIAL HYPERPLASIA IN PERIMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Objective- to determine the sonographic findings associated with endometrial hyperplasia (EH+) in perimenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Methods- a retrospective study, in which 150 subjects, perimenopausal women with AUB, underwent transvaginal sonography (TVS) and endometrial biopsy. The TVS findings were evaluated with regard to EH+. Result- Biopsy proven EH+ was seen in 18.67% of subjects. EH+ was not found in any patient with TVS showing endometrial thickness < 8 mm. Conclusion- There is a strong association between TVS endometrial thickness and endometrial biopsy findings. The risk of development of endometrial cancer is 29% in patients with complex atypical hyperplasia and 2% in patients with hyperplasia without atypia. Thus TVS should be in the first investigation in the management of AUB. Invasive method like dilatation and curettage (D&C) to be considered in cases with endometrial thickness > or = 8 mm.