Transvaginal sonography of the endometrium in south Indian postmenopausal women.

Endometrial carcinoma is not commonly seen in India as in the West. Nevertheless, the diagnosis has to be entertained in women presenting with postmenopausal bleeding. The aim of the study was to compare the transvaginal sonographically-measured endometrial thickness with the histopathological diagnosis in postmenopausal women. Eighty postmenopausal women were studied prospectively. All of them underwent transvaginal sonography followed by either an office dilatation and curettage and/or a hysterectomy. Eight women had endometrial carcinoma and their mean endometrial thickness was 12.6 +/- 5 mm (mean +/- SD). Taking 4 mm endometrial thickness as cut off the sensitivity of transvaginal scan to detect endometrial pathology was 97%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 97% and negative predictive value 94%. Hence, we conclude that measurement of endometrial thickness by transvaginal scan is a good screening test in postmenopausal women for differentiating endometrial pathology from those who do not have an endometrial lesion.