• A R W Williams, S Brechin, A J L Porter, P Warner, and H O D Critchley.
• Department of Pathology, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. alistair.r.w.williams@ed.ac.uk
• BJOG. 2008 Jul 1; 115 (8): 1028-36.

ObjectiveTo compare factors influencing adequacy of endometrial samples obtained using two outpatient sampling devices--Pipelle and Tao Brush.DesignPragmatic unblinded trial with investigation schedule randomised separately within two groups according to endometrial cancer risk.SettingGynaecology outpatient clinic of a large city hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland.PopulationAll women referred to a gynaecology outpatient clinic during a 28-month period complaining of abnormal vaginal bleeding.MethodsWomen were assigned to two 'risk groups' for endometrial cancer ('high risk' for postmenopausal women and 'moderate risk' for premenopausal women aged over 40 years or with other risk factors). Women in each risk group had both types of biopsy and were randomised to two outpatient visualisations: hysteroscopy and/or transvaginal ultrasound scan.Main Outcome MeasuresCompletion of the investigation, adequacy of sample and acceptability of investigation to women.ResultsIn 200 high-risk women, adequate samples were significantly more likely to be obtained by Tao Brush than Pipelle (P < 0.001). Nulliparity was strongly associated with failed insertion for both devices (P < 0.001). Inadequate samples were strongly associated with postmenopausal status only for Pipelle (P < 0.001), and among premenopausal women, for both samplers, with nulliparity (P < 0.001). A significantly greater proportion of women preferred the Tao Brush to the Pipelle endometrial sampler (P < 0.001).ConclusionsIn postmenopausal women, Tao Brush sampling offers advantages over use of Pipelle, and the former should be considered as an alternative or additional sampling device in this group of women.

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