Myometrial biopsy
Montanari, G.D.; Galli, P.A.
Bollettino della Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale 54(18): 1680-1685
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-8771 PMID: 753250 Document Number: 136504
A special myometrial biopsy instrument is described for transvaginal and transcervical use as an aid to differential diagnosis. A symmetrically hypertrophic uterus may be due to the presence of intramural myomas, fibrosclerosis or adenomyosis. These are not easy to differentiate on gynecologic examination or even during surgery. To obtain a certain diagnosis a myometrial biopsy is required. The most readily accessible point of the muscular wall of the uterus is the fundus because it is thickest, relatively poor in blood vessels and least exposed to complications in case of visceral perforation. The cutting portion at the end of a long tube is fashioned like a cork-scres and the shape of the biopsy specimen is spiral. The material obtained is always myometrial with bits of endometrium. This material permits a differential diagnosis. Hematoxylin-eosin and other histochemical stains must be used. Initial biopsies were practiced in cases where this procedure was to be followed immediately by laparotomy. In 13 biopsies there was 1 perforation, which was not followed by any complications.