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Collagen balls in cervica-vaginal smears
Arnold Szporn1, Xiaoi Chen, Maoxin Wu
1Division of Cytopathology, Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA. arnold.szporn@mssm.edu
Acta Cytologica
|June 22, 2005
Summary
Collagen balls, typically found in serous fluids, were recently detected in cervical-vaginal specimens. This suggests a potential transport mechanism from the peritoneal cavity to the cervix.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Pathology
- Cytopathology
Background:
- Collagen balls are typically observed in serous cavity fluids.
- Their presence in cervical-vaginal specimens is unusual.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the recent detection of collagen balls in cervical-vaginal specimens.
- To investigate the potential origin and transport of these structures.
Main Methods:
- Review of Papanicolaou-stained cervical-vaginal specimens (conventional and ThinPrep).
- Identification of structures resembling collagen balls.
Main Results:
- Seven cases of collagen balls were identified in cervical-vaginal specimens.
- These structures had a hyalinized core and benign cellular covering, similar to those in serous fluids.
- Size averaged 94 x 60 micrometers, comparable to a human oocyte.
- No correlation found with concurrent Pap smear findings or medical history.
Conclusions:
- Collagen balls are proposed to originate in serous cavities and transport to the cervix via the fallopian tube and uterine fundus.
- This transport mechanism is analogous to ovum transport.
- Increased prevalence in peritoneal fluids may explain recent cervical findings.