1996 Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 132-141
Endometrial dating was attempted by endometrial cytology. We applied cell features to 9 phases of the menstrual cycle, i. e. the menstrual, early proliferative, mid proliferative, late proliferative, interval, early secretory, mid secretory, late secretory and premenstrual phases.
Cell samples were obtained from hysterectomized uterine cavities by aspiration or as endocytes. Among these, about 10 samples from each phase were selected, showing regular menstrual cycles and typical histological features of each phase.(total of 108 cases) Causes of hysterectomy were mainly myomas.
Cytological criteria for diagnosing the endometrial phase were based on the histological criteria of Noyes (Gland mitosis, Pseudostratification of nuclei, Basal vacuolation, Secretion, Stromal edema, Pseudodecidual reaction, Leucocytic infiltration, except Stromal mitoses) and cytological features, i. e. number of cells, number of gland lumina, length of clusters, number of cells in clusters, appearance of clusters, and in addition the clarity of the cytoplasmic border, variation in nuclear size, chromatin structure, number of chromocenters and nuclear size.
Using these 18 criteria for endometrial cytology, it is potentially possible to determine the phase of the endometrial cycle.
