[Computer-assisted diagnostics in cervical cytology]

Computer assistance has the ability to reduce screening errors. In cervical cytology only two systems are available: BD FocalPoint™ (BD) utilizes algorithms for image recognition to analyze thin-layer specimens (Surepath) and conventional slides. The ThinPrep® imaging system (Hologic) is based on the densitometric measurement of nuclei and requires a thin-layer preparation. The BD FocalPoint™ system assigns specimens according to declining probability of an abnormality to one of six groups. A further option is location-guided screening (LGS) where the 15 fields of view which are most relevant are presented on a computerized microscope. Several studies indicate that this mode is at least equivalent to manual screening with conventional and surepath (SP) slides. For the ThinPrep® imaging system which only uses the LGS mode the majority of available studies found a significantly higher sensitivity for histologically confirmed grade 2 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2 +). However, most were retrospective or parallel studies. Both systems allow a significantly higher productivity but require a higher technical expenditure.