Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
10:50
Denver Papillae Protocol for Objective Analysis of Fungiform Papillae
Published on: June 8, 2015
14.9K
Method comparison between Munich II and III nomenclature for Pap smear samples
Christoph Cirkel1, Claudia Barop1, Daniel A Beyer1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein/Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
Journal of the Turkish German Gynecological Association
|December 23, 2015
Summary
Munich III cervical smear evaluation offers improved accuracy over Munich II, better distinguishing between normal and abnormal findings. This new system enhances the precise classification of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Cytopathology
- Cervical Cancer Screening
Background:
- Munich Nomenclature III, a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear evaluation system, was implemented in Germany in July 2014.
- This study compares the performance of Munich III with the previously used Munich II nomenclature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a method comparison between the Munich II and Munich III nomenclatures for cervical smear evaluation.
- To assess the diagnostic precision of Munich III in classifying cytological findings.
Main Methods:
- 117 Pap smear samples were analyzed between January and March 2014.
- Each sample was evaluated twice, using both the Munich II and Munich III nomenclatures.
Main Results:
- Munich III significantly increased the detection of Pap I cases (47% vs 0%, p<0.001) and decreased Pap II results (47% vs 93%, p<0.001) compared to Munich II.
- Classifications for Pap IVa, IVb, and V remained similar between the two systems.
- Munich III demonstrated a more precise differentiation of cytological findings, including subgroups for Pap IIID, separating mild and moderate dysplasia (CIN 1 and CIN 2).
Conclusions:
- Munich III effectively separates patients at risk from those without pathology.
- The enhanced subgroup definitions in Munich III allow for more precise differentiation of cytological findings.
- Munich III provides a clearer distinction between cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 1 and 2.
