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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
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Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
Published on: July 6, 2014
19.8K
Comparing endocervical curettage and endocervical brush at colposcopy.
T S Dunn1, C Stevens-Simon, L D Moeller
1* Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‡Department of Pediatrics, and † Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO; § Center For Disease Control, Division of Reproductive Health, Atlanta, GA.
Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease
|May 8, 2015
Summary
Endocervical brushings (ECB) show higher sensitivity than endocervical curettage (ECC) for detecting cervical pathology. This study suggests ECB can replace ECC in colposcopic evaluations for abnormal Pap smears.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Cervical Pathology Diagnosis
- Cytopathology
Background:
- Cervical cancer screening relies on accurate cytologic and histologic evaluation.
- Endocervical curettage (ECC) and endocervical brushings (ECB) are diagnostic methods used in colposcopy.
- Comparing the diagnostic performance of ECB and ECC is crucial for optimizing cervical cancer detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the sensitivity and specificity of endocervical brushings (ECB) versus endocervical curettage (ECC) for diagnosing endocervical disease.
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, including predictive values, of ECB and ECC in patients undergoing colposcopy.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 105 nonpregnant women undergoing conization or hysterectomy after colposcopy.
- Collection of Pap smears, ECB, colposcopy with biopsies (if indicated), and ECC from participants.
- Statistical comparison of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values between ECB and ECC for detecting endocervical pathology.
Main Results:
- Neither ECB nor ECC missed any invasive cancers.
- ECB demonstrated higher sensitivity (93%) compared to ECC (62%) for detecting endocervical pathology.
- ECC showed higher specificity (63%) than ECB (25%), while both had poor positive predictive values but excellent negative predictive values.
Conclusions:
- Endocervical brushings (ECB) can potentially replace endocervical curettage (ECC) in the colposcopic evaluation of abnormal Pap smears.
- ECB offers a more sensitive method for detecting cervical pathology during colposcopy.
- Further validation may support the routine use of ECB over ECC in specific clinical scenarios.
