An audit of cervical smears reported to contain atypical glandular cells

The terminology and classification system for the reporting of cervical smears is currently under review. However, evidence on which to base the reporting of atypical cervical glandular cells is lacking. This audit of glandular atypia reporting in cervical smears provides evidence to support a three-tier sub-classification system for cervical glandular atypia. The three sub-classifications are distinct with respect to their positive predictive values and to the cell type of the abnormality as confirmed by histology and therefore relate to further clinical investigation.