In a woman with a normal 28-day cycle suspected of having endometrial tuberculosis, endometrial biopsy for histopathology should ideally be taken at which point in the cycle?
- A Early proliferative phase, day 5 to 7
- B Periovulatory period, day 12 to 14
- C Late secretory phase, just before the expected menses ✓
- D Any day, since yield is identical throughout the cycle
Correct answer: C. Late secretory phase, just before the expected menses
Explanation
Sampling in the late secretory or premenstrual phase maximizes yield because the endometrium is thickest and tubercles are best developed at that time, and any bacilli shed into menstrual blood are also captured. An added advantage is that a secretory endometrium confirms ovulation in an infertility workup. Proliferative-phase biopsies miss superficially seeded lesions more often.
Reference: DC Dutta's Textbook of Gynecology, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.