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Paired Papanicolaou smears in the evaluation of atypical squamous cells
S Andrews1, E Hernandez, K Miyazawa
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Between February 1985 and April 1988, 360 women were seen at Tripler Army Medical Center's cervical clinic as part of a prospective study to assess the value of paired Papanicolaou smears in the follow-up of atypical squamous cells in a cervical cytologic smear. The evaluation consisted of paired repeat Papanicolaou smears and colposcopy. Colposcopically directed biopsies and/or endocervical curettage were performed in 86% of the subjects. The results of the paired Papanicolaou smears were negative/negative in 202 patients (56%). Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was diagnosed histopathologically in 16% of all patients and in 10% of those with negative/negative repeat smears. We conclude that the presence of atypical squamous cells in a Papanicolaou smear should be considered abnormal and that colposcopy and colposcopically directed biopsies should be performed for these patients.
Between February 1985 and April 1988, 360 women were seen at Tripler Army Medical Center's cervical clinic as part of a prospective study to assess the value of paired Papanicolaou smears in the follow-up of atypical squamous cells in a cervical cytologic smear. The evaluation consisted of paired repeat Papanicolaou smears and colposcopy. Colposcopically directed biopsies and/or endocervical curettage were performed in 86% of the subjects. The results of the paired Papanicolaou smears were negative/negative in 202 patients (56%). Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was diagnosed histopathologically in 16% of all patients and in 10% of those with negative/negative repeat smears. We conclude that the presence of atypical squamous cells in a Papanicolaou smear should be considered abnormal and that colposcopy and colposcopically directed biopsies should be performed for these patients.