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Comparison of repeat smear, colposcopy, and colposcopically directed biopsy in the evaluation of the mildly abnormal smear.

Repeat smear, colposcopy, and colposcopically directed biopsy were performed in 161 patients referred to our department because of a Pap smear showing mild dysplasia (CIN 1). Colposcopically directed biopsies revealed the presence of CIN of different grades in 61 cases (37.5%). In 33 (20.4%) the CIN grade found at biopsy was higher than 1. Repeat smear confirmed the presence of CIN 1 in 67 women (47.2%). In this group of patients colposcopically directed biopsies showed a CIN grade greater than 1 in 12 cases (17.9%). The repeat smear was negative in 59 patients (41.5%). In this group, biopsy showed varying grades of neoplasia in 12 cases. Colposcopic examination indicated no dysplasia but the presence of minor cervical abnormalities in 76 women (47.2%): at biopsy a CIN grade higher than 1 was found in 9 cases (11.5%). These data suggest that the mildly atypical smear identifies a group of patients at increased risk of CIN but gives little or no information on the disease severity. Repeat smear and colposcopic examination alone appear inadequate to demonstrate the severity of the cervical lesion. Due to the high proportion of CIN 2 and 3 in patients with a mildly abnormal smear, the systematic biopsy of any colposcopically abnormal area seems essential to proper management of the patient.

Adult↗

The quality of community colposcopic practice.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the quality of community colposcopic practice in British Columbia through an assessment of the degree of correlation between colposcopy, cytology, and histology. METHOD: We reviewed all new-patient colposcopies in British Columbia during 2001 by 37 gynecologists in 24 hospital-based clinics. RESULTS: Colposcopic impression closely mirrored the referral cytology diagnosis in 89.8% of cases. As with cytology-biopsy comparisons, discordant cases were more likely to be overestimates of disease rather than underestimates, 18.8% versus 1.8%. Overestimates were usually biopsy sampling errors rather than false positive cytology. The overall correlation between cytology and biopsy was considered satisfactory in 79.4% of cases. Satisfactory agreement between the colposcopic diagnosis and accompanying biopsies occurred in 86.8% of patients. Five colposcopists had performance scores below this standard. Colposcopy with a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 57.3% as practiced in this provincial program would appear to be of a satisfactory level. The rate of intraepithelial or invasive disease increased from 40.6% in patients with low-grade squamous intraepithelial changes to 91.9% in patients with suspicious or malignant cytology. The value of the colposcopic impression to identify disease correlated best with the higher the grade of disease predicted (64.6% to 92.6%). CONCLUSION: A measure of the colposcopic proficiency in the community can be estimated by comparing the level of agreement between the presenting cytology, colposcopic impression, and corresponding directed biopsies. The results of this study would indicate that 5 individuals had practice standards that were below average. An integrated cytology-colposcopy program facilitates the assessment and identification of below-average practice standards in a community.

Adult↗

Colposcopic scoring system for biopsy decisions in different patient groups.

Colposcopic scoring system have been used for distinguishing low-grade from high-grade cervical lesions. However, none of the previous studies have reported colposcopic scoring systems for biopsy decisions in different patient groups. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the safety of biopsy decisions using the colposcopic score elaborated by Stellato and Paavonen (IL) in 21 nonpregnant HIV infected patients (NP+) and 36 uninfected patients (NP-), 12 HIV infected pregnant patients (P+) and 20 uninfected pregnant patients (P-) in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN) and HPV infection. The receiving operator curve was used for the establishment of a cut-off point in the scoring system graduation. The chi-square test was used for the statistical analysis. We obtained a safety cut-off value in the colposcopic scoring system for each patient group: 4.5 for NP+; 4.0 for NP- and 3.5 for P+ and P- patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the colposcopic score for the detection of high-grade lesions for each group were respectively: 87.5 and 92.3% for NP+ patients; 90.9 and 92% for NP- patients; 100 and 87.5% for P+ patients and 100 and 91.7% for P- patients. Our results suggest that the colposcopic scoring system is a practical tool for a colposcopy-guided punch biopsy decision and detection of high-grade cervical lesions in different patient groups. Further studies are needed to prove its clinical utility.

Adolescent↗

[Implementation of Reid's colposcopic index in teenagers].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present investigation was to determine the possibilities of the Reid's colposcopic index to diffentiate the grade of the findings in sexually active teenagers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was based on 83 girls without child-birth in history, aged between 14 an 19 (mean age 18.13 years)q with different grade cytological and/or colposcopic atypia. Colposcopic findings were joined, according to semiobjective Reid's index and the results achieved were compared with the histological findings from the target biopsies. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results from the colposcopic investigation were divided into 4 groups: in group 0--without pathological findings were classified 12 cases, in gr. 1 (Reid)--42, in gr. 2 (Reid)--24 and in gr. 3 (Reid)--5 patients. Histological equivalents were summarized as follow: normal and papiloma epithelium--in 27, CIN I--in 36, CIN II--15q and CIN III--5 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation performed, shows the good correlation (91.6%) between colposcopic impression and histological diagnosis, and this put the question about the place and role of the Reid's colposcopic index in predicting the severity of the pathological changes of the uterine cervix in sexually active adolescent girls.

Adolescent↗

A quality-control program for colposcopic practice.

Quality control is accepted as an integral part of the cytology laboratory's activities. However, provision of similar safeguards for colposcopic practice in assessing patients with abnormal cervical cytology has been an elusive problem. This report describes the quality-control program for colposcopy that is used province-wide in British Columbia for 21 hospital-based clinics staffed by 35 colposcopists. Copies of the results of all colposcopic examinations performed are sent to the Central Cytology Laboratory where the program is coordinated and the data are collated, analyzed, and evaluated. These data are used to set standards against which each colposcopist's performance and activity can be measured. One of the quality-control indicators used is a comparison between the colposcopic impression of the lesion and the corresponding direct biopsy diagnosis. Correlation within one histologic degree occurred in 86% of patients examined; this information was used to set a performance standard of 80% as the quality-control index for this particular indicator. Three colposcopists had scores below this standard. Comparisons were also made between presenting cytology, directed biopsy results, initial colposcopic impression, and final colposcopic evaluation (the clinical working diagnosis). The other major aspect of the quality-control program consists of an analysis of all cases of diagnosed invasive cervical cancer in the province in a given year to determine whether any colposcopically related errors occurred in the investigation and management of these cases. This system helps to identify individuals who may benefit from additional training.

Biopsy↗

A colposcopic scoring system for grading cervical lesions.

Colposcopic scoring systems have been used for distinguishing low-risk from high-risk cervical lesions. We studied 159 HPV DNA positive patients (7 with HPV 6/11, 51 with HPV 16/18, 52 with HPV31/33/35, 25 with mixed HPV types, and 24 with untypable HPV) (mean age 25.7 years, SD 7.4), and 69 age matched HPV-DNA negative control, patients, drawn from the same clinical setting. A dot-blot hybridization technique (ViraPap and VyraType, Digene Diagnostics, MD, USA) was used for HPV DNA hybridizations types 6/11, 16/18, and 31/33/35. Each patient underwent cytologic and colposcopic evaluation at four-month intervals. A colposcopic score for grading cervical lesions was used. It included features of lesion borders, tone of acetowhitening, and vascular atypia. Each feature was graded using three categories, so that an increasing score would be associated with gradually more severe lesions. The mean follow-up time was 12.2 months (SD 8.7) for the cases, and 12.8 months (SD 6.9) for the controls. The study end point was defined as the presence of cytologic changes consistent with CIN, in which case colposcopically directed biopsy and endocervical curettage were performed. The mean colposcopic score derived from the features of ATZ was 4.9 in the HPV DNA positive patients and 4.3 in the HPV DNA negative patients. The mean colposcopic score was 3.3 for those with HPV 6/11, 4.5 for HPV 16/18, 5.3 for HPV 31/33/35, 5.0 for mixed HPV types, and 4.0 for untypable HPV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Colposcopes: a critical review.

A multidimensional professional team consisting of a practicing colposcopist, a mechanical engineer, and a medical photographer independently critically evaluated the features of selected colposcopes. Qualitative observations and quantitative measurements were performed on 13 colposcopes representing eight manufacturers and distributors. Optical characteristics, ocular system operation, mobility and stability, relative ease of use, component characteristics, space for instrumentation, and visual illumination, uniformity, and color were comparatively assessed. The specific colposcope information provided may benefit practicing physicians or novice colposcopists who are contemplating purchasing a colposcope. The presented framework of critical feature evaluation may also facilitate the informed selection of other colposcopes not included in this selective, critical, comprehensive review.

Colposcopes↗

Prognostic value of the colposcopic tumor size in stage IB squamous cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the prognostic significance of the colposcopic tumor size in the management of cervical cancer. METHODS: Clinicopathological analysis was performed in 751 consecutive patients with stage IB squamous cervical cancer who were surgically treated in a single institute. The colposcopic tumor size was measured postoperatively on surgical specimens. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the prognostic significance of various pathological factors. RESULTS: Among the pathological factors examined, lymph node metastasis, parametrial extension, deep stromal invasion, vessel permeation, endometrial extension, and colposcopic tumor size were found to be prognostic factors in univariate analysis, whereas multivariate analysis has confirmed that only three factors, i.e., lymph node metastasis, parametrial involvement, and colposcopic tumor size were independently associated with the disease-free interval. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the colposcopic tumor size is an independent prognostic factor in squamous cervical cancer and can be used as an indicator of treatment options.

Adult↗

Value of repeat cervical smears at the time of colposcopic biopsy.

At our institution, gynecologists perform Pap smears not only as an initial screening procedure but also at the time of colposcopy and biopsy. We compared the results of initial Papanicolaou (Pap) smears with those taken at colposcopic biopsy to determine if repeating the Pap smear at the time of colposcopy contributed to patient management. We found that repeat colposcopic smears often agreed with the referral smears and biopsies. When there was disagreement, the colposcopic smear was more often a lower grade than the referral smear and correlated best with the biopsy. Both referral and colposcopic smears underestimated the severity of cervical lesions with the same frequency. We could document only 5/414 (1.2%) colposcopic smears that contributed to patient care.

Biopsy↗

Genital warts and cervical cancer. V. The tissue basis of colposcopic change.

Histologic differences between subclinical papillomaviral infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia are quantitative rather than qualitative. Both entities are characterized colposcopically by acetowhite epithelium and aberrant surface capillaries. This study correlates five new colposcopic signs (variations in contour, thickness, color, vascular patterns, and iodine staining) with 12 histologic signs of human papillomaviral infection and 12 features of premalignant change. Acetowhitening and capillary abnormalities in minor colposcopic lesions are attributable to human papillomaviral disturbance of cell growth and maturation, seen histologically as parabasal layer proliferation, papillomatosis, koilocytosis , and dyskeratosis. Alteration in cell ploidy is usually minimal. Major colposcopic abnormalities reflect extensive disorganization of cell phenotype and tissue architecture, increased DNA content, and aneuploid stem cell populations. Intermediate colposcopic patterns generally denote polyploid lesions in which tissue changes are a composite of two reciprocal events: the extent of benign warty expression and the severity of premalignant change.

Animals↗

Genital warts and cervical cancer. IV. A colposcopic index for differentiating subclinical papillomaviral infection from cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Five colposcopic signs (thickness, color, contour, vascular atypia, and iodine staining) were graded into three objective categories representing (1) subclinical papillomaviral infection, (2) lower-grade dysplasia, and (3) grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Seventy-two colposcopically different biopsy specimens (25 of subclinical papillomaviral infection and 18 of grade 1, 18 of grade 2, and 11 of grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) were collected from 52 women and interpreted by validated, quantitative histologic analysis. Attempts to grade lesions by the prominence of the acetowhitening reaction or the mere presence of aberrant surface capillaries were unsuccessful. In contrast, each of five new colposcopic criteria were significantly correlated with histologic severity. Differences in color, vascular atypia, and iodine staining were more predictive than those of thickness and contour. Combined into a weighted index, these colposcopic features were 96% correct in forecasting approximate histologic findings. Because this method relies upon critical analysis rather than pattern recall, the use of this colposcopic index greatly simplifies the learning of colposcopy.

Animals↗

Colposcopic analysis of genital human papillomavirus infections during an 8-year prospective follow-up.

A long-term prospective follow-up program has been conducted for genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in 532 women in Kuopio since 1981. By regular examinations (at 6-month intervals) using colposcopy, cytology and/or punch biopsy, 426 of these women have been followed up for the minimum of 48 months (mean 71 +/- 19 months). These 426 women were included in the present report. The colposcopic data of all women at the first and the latest visits were recorded from the colpophotographs, analysed and correlated with cytology, histology, HPV DNA detection and clinical behavior (i.e. prognosis) of the disease. Colposcopic abnormalities were found in 313 (73.5%) women at the first visit and in 138 (32.4%) patients at the latest visit. HPV infections were diagnosed in 368 (86.4%) women at the first visit and in 75 (17.9%) at the latest visit on light microscopy (i.e. biopsy and/or PAP smear). CIN was found in 54.7% of the women at the first visit. HPV DNA was detected by in situ hybridization in 38.2% of the biopsies assayed. Colposcopical multicentric lesions were found in one third of the women upon examination of the entire lower genital tract. The majority of the lesions were situated within the transformation zone. HPV infection and CIN were most frequently encountered in women with multiple lesions. Progression to CIN III was most frequent in large lesions (28.6%). No colposcopic pattern was able to distinguish HPV infections from CIN lesions, or predict the progression of the former. The results implicate that: (1) colposcopy is an essential method to disclose abnormalities due to CIN and HPV infections, but histological changes cannot be predicted on a single colposcopy; (2) HPV infection is a multicentric disease, making the careful examination of the entire lower genital tract mandatory on every colposcopy; and (3) the HPV progressors cannot be predicted on the basis of the colposcopic patterns.

Adult↗

Pathology of colposcopic findings in 2635 diethylstilbestrol-exposed young women.

An analysis of 6055 colposcopically directed biopsy specimens from 2635 diethylstilbestrol (DES)-exposed women and 445 biopsy specimens from 277 nonexposed women was undertaken to correlate microscopic findings with colposcopic patterns. All examinations were performed using a standardized protocol which required that each participant have colposcopy, cytologic smears, and biopsy of abnormal colposcopic lesions. The findings of colposcopic "columnar epithelium, gland openings, and Nabothian cysts" correlated most often with glandular epithelium in the biopsy specimen. "White epithelium," which includes three related colposcopic patterns, mosaicism, punctation, and white epithelium, was associated most frequently (82-93% of cases) with squamous metaplasia, but occasionally with dysplasia and carcinoma in situ (CIS)(0-6%). The presence of dysplasia or CIS in any individual biopsy specimen occurred most frequently with the observation of higher graded lesions by colposcopy or a prior diagnosis of dysplasia.

Carcinoma in Situ↗

Histological differences between colposcopic-directed biopsy and loop excision of the transformation zone (LETZ): a cause for concern.

Colposcopic examination and biopsy were performed on 100 patients with abnormal cervical cytology. All were suitable for ablative therapy but were treated by loop excision of the transformation zone (LETZ) as outpatients. Histological comparison between the colposcopic biopsies and LETZ samples showed poor agreement with only 43% of cases illustrating identical degrees of dysplasia. The dysplasia was underestimated by colposcopic biopsy in 16% of cases and overestimated in 41% of cases, when compared to the LETZ specimen. Microinvasive carcinoma was diagnosed in 3 cases on the LETZ histology, having been missed by the preceding colposcopy and colposcopic biopsy. The disparity between histological findings is of great concern and would not have been detected if the patients were treated by ablative therapy. It is the authors' view that LETZ should replace ablative therapy in the treatment of localized cervical dysplasia and that it may avoid the need for pretreatment colposcopic biopsy. LETZ limits the possibility of inadequate treatment and also provides a method of audit for the colposcopist.

Adolescent↗

Comparison between colposcopic, cytologic, and histologic findings in women positive and negative for human papillomavirus DNA.

Little is known about the role of detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in exfoliated cells of the cervix in aiding the colposcopic diagnosis of cervical lesions. The purpose of our study was to compare the colposcopic findings of young women who were positive and negative for HPV DNA. Eighty-four women aged 13-22 years attending family planning clinics were examined colposcopically with the aide of acetic acid and Lugol's solution and without knowledge of HPV DNA status. Lesions identified were given scores based on the severity of observed colposcopic changes. Samples for cytology and HPV DNA testing, which included types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, and 35, were obtained at the time of the examination. Biopsies were performed on women with significant lesions identified on examination or with cytology suggestive of neoplasia. Students t-test and chi 2 analysis were performed to compare colposcopic variables and HPV DNA type. Of the 84 women examined, 17 were positive for HPV DNA; 9 had type 16/18. The average length of sexual activity was 2.7 years. Women with HPV 16/18 had a mean of 1.7 lesions visible at colposcopy compared to 0.7 lesions visible in those negative for HPV 16/18 (this included HPV DNA negative women and women positive for HPV types 6, 11, 31, 33, and 35) (p < 0.001). Women who were positive for HPV 16/18 also had higher lesional scores than the HPV 16/18-negative group (3.4 versus 1.0, respectively, p < 0.001). All four women who had dysplasia either on cytology or histology were positive for type 16/18.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Predicting absolute risk of CIN3 during post-colposcopic follow-up: results from the ASCUS-LSIL Triage Study (ALTS).

OBJECTIVE: At present, clinical management of women referred to colposcopy but found to have <CIN2 remains unclear. Using data from the ASCUS-LSIL Triage Study (ALTS) to inform clinical management, we calculated the absolute risk for developing CIN3 within 2 years of referral to an enrollment colposcopy. STUDY DESIGN: Women included in the analyses: (1) were initially referred to ALTS with a community cytologic interpretation of atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL); (2) had a colposcopic evaluation and biopsy, if indicated, resulting in a diagnosis <CIN2; and, therefore (3) were followed without treatment. Results from subsequent human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, liquid-based cytology interpretations, and a second colposcopic evaluation at least 6 months after and within 2 years of the first colposcopic evaluation were used to calculate absolute risks for CIN3. RESULTS: Women with HPV-negative test results were at low risk for CIN3 regardless of other test results. Among HPV-positive women, increasing absolute risks of CIN3 were observed with increasing cytology severity: 7% (normal), 11% (ASCUS and LSIL), and 45% (HSIL). The highest absolute risk for CIN3 (67%) was observed for HPV-positive women with HSIL and a colposcopic impression of high-grade/cancer on the second colposcopy. CONCLUSION: In the ALTS population, after the first colposcopic diagnosis of <CIN2, clear risk stratification for CIN3 outcomes was obtained among women with a subsequent HPV-positive test. Because absolute risk for histologic CIN3 outcomes was high for women with HPV positive tests, HSIL cytology, and a high-grade impression at second colposcopy, it is worth considering whether this combination of findings might warrant immediate excisional therapy in some circumstances.

Adult↗

Genital warts and cervical cancer. VII. An improved colposcopic index for differentiating benign papillomaviral infections from high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

A new colposcopic sign (sharpness of peripheral margins) was graded into three objective categories representing subclinical papillomaviral infection, lower grade dysplasia, and grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Colposcopic features were prospectively recorded in 72 women and then correlated with histologic findings. Histologic diagnoses were evenly spread within the disease spectrum: 18 patients had subclinical papillomaviral infection without associated dysplasia; 15 had grade 1, 16 had grade 2, and 23 had grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with or without koilocytotic atypia. Differences in the pattern of the peripheral margin were discriminatory throughout the entire diagnostic range. Predictive accuracy of this new colposcopic sign (79%) compared favorably with that of color (72%), vascular atypia (81%), and iodine staining (72%). Each criterion was independent of the other three. Hence, combining these four individual signs into a colposcopic index was 97% correct in forecasting approximate histologic findings. Because formulation of the colposcopic index is based on critical analysis rather than pattern recall, the use of this method will greatly simplify the otherwise arduous task of learning colposcopy.

Carcinoma in Situ↗

Colposcopic regression patterns in high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serial changes in colposcopic and cervicographic findings of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II and III enrolled in a phase III randomized comparison of oral beta carotene and placebo. METHODS: All subjects treated with beta carotene or placebo for at least 6 months were included if they met the criteria of persistent or progressive disease (no change or worsening of CIN grade) or disease regression (improvement of two grades or more). These two groups were compared for changes in colposcopic and cervicographic patterns. Colposcopically directed biopsies and cervicography were done at enrollment and after 6 months. Quarterly Papanicolaou smears and colposcopic assessments also were performed. Findings of mosaic pattern, punctation, and white epithelium were graded and diagrammed at colposcopic examinations. Cervicographic measurements of the centripetal movement of metaplastic epithelium were recorded. Data were analyzed by chi 2 analysis and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: Data were available for 23 subjects with regression and 16 with persistent lesions. Small lesions were significantly more likely to regress than large ones. Lesions without coarse punctation were significantly more likely to regress than lesions with coarse punctation, and lesions with mild acetowhite changes were more likely to regress than those with dense white epithelium. A pattern of centripetal movement of the metaplastic epithelium toward the cervical os was noted in lesions that regressed, but not in those that persisted or progressed. CONCLUSION: This study describes the centripetal growth of metaplastic squamous epithelium associated with the regression of CIN II and III. This observation contributes to our understanding of the process of disease regression in CIN and may be useful in identifying individuals for conservative management. Failure to identify this pattern correlates with persistent or progressive disease.

Adult↗