Sonographic and histopathological correlation and evaluation of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women

Abstract

Background: Perimenopausal period in a woman’s lifetime marks a transition from reproductive phase to that of menopause. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common problem among women in the reproductive age.Methods: It was a prospective study on 100 perimenopausal women in age group 39-51 years with abnormal uterine bleeding who underwent Hysterectomy at SMS Hospital, Jaipur. At the end clinical diagnosis, ultrasonographic findings and histopathological reports were correlated.Results: 42.0% cases had HMB menstrual pattern followed by 24.0% cases had HPMB and 18.0% of the cases had PB. Intermenstrual bleeding was seen in 2% cases. In clinical finding, 71.0% cases had fibroid followed by 15.0% cases had adenomyosis and 6.0% of the cases had fibroid+adenomyosis. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography. Ultrasound detected fibroid in 95.8% of the cases who were suspected to have fibroid on clinical examination. Out of the 15 patients who were clinically suspected to have adenomyosis, 53.3% confirmed on ultrasound, ultimate diagnosis was made on the basis of histology, so every hysterectomy specimen was sent for histopathological examination. Out of the 68 patients who were diagnosed to have fibroid uterus on ultrsonography, 66 patients were confirmed to have fibroid. Out of the 8 patients who were labelled as adenomyosis after ultrasound, 4 patients were diagnosed to have adenomyosis on histopathology and in rest 4 patients, no gross pathology was detected.Conclusions: A transvaginal ultrasound should be offered as the first line of imaging. Clinical, radiological and pathological evaluation correlated well to diagnose fibroids, however clinically as well as USG proved to be of little help in diagnosing adenomyosis.