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Updated: May 22, 2026
Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
Published on: July 6, 2014
Utility of random cervical biopsy and endocervical curettage in a low-risk population
Robert G Pretorius1, Jerome L Belinson, Faramarz Azizi
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group-Fontana, Fontana, CA 92335, USA. Robert.G.Pretorius@kp.org
Objective:
The study aimed to determine the increase in the yield of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN 3) or cancer (CIN 3+) from random cervical biopsy in quadrants without visible lesions and endocervical curettage (ECC) in a low-prevalence setting.
Materials And Methods:
Random biopsy and ECC (unless pregnant) have been obtained in the colposcopy clinic of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG)-Fontana since 2004. We reviewed the colposcopy experience of SCPMG-Fontana for January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2009, to determine the method of diagnosis of CIN 3+.
Results:
Between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009, 4677 women with median age 32 years had 4932 colposcopies in the SCPMG-Fontana colposcopy clinics. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3+ was diagnosed in 295 women. Cervical biopsy detected 64.4% of CIN 3+; ECC diagnosed 5.1%; loop electrocautery excision procedure (LEEP) or cervical conization for cervical biopsy and/or ECC of CIN 2 diagnosed 27.8%; LEEP for the cytology of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion with cervical biopsy result of negative or CIN 1 diagnosed 1.4%; and LEEP, cervical conization, or biopsy in follow-up of CIN 2 diagnosed 1.4%. Sixty-one of the 295 cases of CIN 3+ (20.7%) were diagnosed after evaluation of random cervical biopsy and/or ECC of CIN 2+.
Conclusions:
Random biopsy in cervical quadrants without visible lesions and ECC increased the yield of CIN 3+ in this low-risk colposcopy setting. Endocervical curettage can be omitted in women younger than 25 years.
