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Nuclear grooves in normal and abnormal cervical smears
Fariba Payandeh1, Leopold G Koss
1Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, New York 10467-2490, USA.
Acta Cytologica
|June 7, 2003
Summary
Nuclear grooves in cervical smears are not linked to inflammation. However, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) show a significant increase in nuclear grooves, suggesting a potential marker for neoplastic changes.
Area of Science:
- Cytopathology
- Cervical Cancer Screening
Background:
- Nuclear grooves in intermediate squamous cells are a cytomorphological feature.
- Their association with inflammatory and neoplastic cervical conditions requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the frequency of nuclear grooves in intermediate squamous cells and inflammatory or neoplastic events in cervical smears.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 100 cervical smears (60 benign, 40 neoplastic) stained via Papanicolaou stain.
- Quantification of nuclear grooves in 100 intermediate squamous cells per smear.
- Statistical evaluation of findings in relation to inflammation, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL).
Main Results:
- Inflammation did not affect nuclear groove frequency in benign or neoplastic smears.
- No significant increase in nuclear grooves was observed in LSIL compared to benign smears.
- A statistically significant increase in nuclear grooves was found in HSIL (P < .01).
Conclusions:
- Nuclear groove frequency in cervical smears is independent of inflammation.
- Increased nuclear grooves are associated with HSIL, indicating a potential biomarker.
- The underlying mechanism and clinical significance of increased nuclear grooves in HSIL warrant further investigation.