Alternative Colposcopy Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

To assess the diagnostic value of alternative (digital) colposcopy techniques for detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or worse in a colposcopy population.

MEDLINE, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception up to January 11, 2016, for studies that evaluated the diagnostic value of alternative (digital) colposcopy techniques.

Inclusion criteria were: 1) an alternative (digital) colposcopy technique was used in a colposcopy population; 2) a histologic outcome was reported, classified as CIN, differentiating between mild dysplasia or less (CIN 1 or less), and moderate dysplasia or worse (CIN 2 or greater); 3) the entire cervix was scanned at once or a per-woman analysis was performed; 4) no other topical application than acetic acid and Lugol's solution was used; 5) at least three eligible studies had to be available within a single technique; and 6) studies obtained research ethics approval. Language was restricted to English.

Two reviewers assessed the eligibility of the identified articles. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. We found six studies on fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy, including 2,530 women, with a pooled sensitivity of 93% (95% confidence interval [CI] 89-95%) and specificity of 62% (95% CI 47-76%). Four studies on dynamic spectral imaging were found including 1,173 women with a pooled sensitivity of 69% (95% CI 48-85%) and specificity of 83% (95% CI 76-88%). We found three studies on optical coherence tomography including 693 women with a pooled sensitivity of 48% (95% CI 32-64%) and specificity of 77% (95% CI 52-91%). Previously published conventional colposcopy results showed a sensitivity of 61% (95% CI 58-63%) and a specificity of 85% (95% CI 83-86%).

Alternative (digital) colposcopy techniques may result in increased sensitivity and specificity, but no recommendation for introduction in clinical practice can be made yet.