To ECC or Not to ECC: The Question Remains

The usefulness of endocervical curettage (ECC) in evaluating women who have abnormal cervical cytology and histopathology has been debated for years; data regarding performance of ECC in the diagnostic evaluations of squamous and glandular lesions are mixed. There are no well-done randomized trials or systematic reviews regarding the usefulness of ECC. The yield on ECC increases in the setting of unsatisfactory colposcopy; in this situation, there seems less controversy regarding performance of an ECC. Reproducibility of ECC-rendered diagnosis is a concern. Data are needed to further define the role of ECC in evaluating women who have cervical disease.