A 26-year-old woman with infertility and suspected genital tuberculosis is scheduled for endometrial biopsy. To maximise diagnostic yield, the biopsy should ideally be taken in which phase of the menstrual cycle?
- A Early proliferative phase
- B Periovulatory phase
- C Late secretory phase, just before menstruation ✓
- D During menstruation on day 2
Correct answer: C. Late secretory phase, just before menstruation
Explanation
Endometrial sampling is best done in the late secretory or premenstrual phase, just before the expected period, because tubercles are most numerous and acid-fast bacilli are most likely to be demonstrated at that time. Sampling too early in the cycle may miss superficial disease, and histological dating of secretory change also becomes possible. This timing convention is emphasised in Indian gynaecology texts.
Reference: DC Dutta's Textbook of Gynecology, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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