Endocervical cytology: characterization of the cells by image analyzer

Authors report on 359 patient's endocervical smears taken by cytobrush. Stromby's endocervical brush did not cause bleeding disturbance or preventing colposcopic examination. The smears contained numerous, well evaluable squamous and endocervical cells. Out of seven cytologically positive cases three proved to be negative by colposcopy. Histology, however, confirmed the cytological diagnosis. Cytology was followed by histology in 42 cases. Cytological and histological diagnoses were compared, there was one false negative. For the more precise characterization of endocervical cells 13 features were measured by a Robotron type image analyzer and the results were statistically analyzed. The respective cell groups can be separated from each other by morphometric and densitometric parameters. Results of this study have produced a data base that can be extended further on. It may give help in case of differential diagnostic problems since it is capable of distinguishing certain cell groups, consequently these data can be incorporated into a diagnostic program.