Post-menopausal bleeding - Is transvaginal ultrasound a useful first-line investigation in tamoxifen users?

Ali Abdaal, Yusuf Mushtaq, L Khasati, Joseph Moneim, Farhaan Khan, H. Ahmed, H Bolton, Helen Bolton
Post reproductive health · 2018 · vol. 24(2) , pp. 72–78 · doi:10.1177/2053369118755190 · PMID:29402191 · W2790238497
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This retrospective study found that transvaginal ultrasound is rarely helpful for triaging post-menopausal bleeding in tamoxifen users because nearly all require further investigation due to significantly greater endometrial thickness and higher pathology rates.

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Abstract

Objective To evaluate the role of transvaginal ultrasound triage in women with a history of tamoxifen treatment who present with post-menopausal bleeding. Study design A retrospective review was undertaken of patients who presented with symptoms of post-menopausal bleeding and underwent ultrasound triage. Endometrial thickness and ultrasonographic features were then correlated with hysteroscopic and histopathological outcome data. The findings and outcomes for women with a history of tamoxifen use (tamoxifen group) were compared to those who had not taken tamoxifen (non-tamoxifen group). Results A total of 614 women with post-menopausal bleeding underwent transvaginal ultrasound triage, of whom 53 had a history of current or previous tamoxifen treatment. An endometrial thickness of ≥5 mm or the presence of other abnormal features was used to triage women to further investigation by hysteroscopy and biopsy. Endometrial thickness was significantly greater in the tamoxifen group (11 mm vs. 6 mm). Nearly all of the tamoxifen group were triaged to further investigation (98.1%), compared with significantly fewer in the non-tamoxifen group (68.3%) Overall, the incidence of endometrial pathology was also significantly higher in tamoxifen patients (43.4% vs. 31.7%). Conclusion For women presenting with post-menopausal bleeding, the use of transvaginal ultrasound as a triage tool is rarely helpful in evaluating women who have a history as tamoxifen use, as most will require further investigation with hysteroscopy and biopsy. A post-menopausal bleeding protocol that omits transvaginal ultrasound for women with a history of tamoxifen use may be an appropriate and effective pathway for managing these patients.

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MeSH descriptors

Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Estrogen Antagonists Tamoxifen Ultrasonography Uterine Hemorrhage Aged Biopsy Biopsy Estrogen Antagonists Female Humans Hysteroscopy Hysteroscopy Middle Aged Patient Care Management Patient Care Management Postmenopause Postmenopause

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References (35)

SciLite annotations

chemicals 10
tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen tamoxifen

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