Endocervical columnar cell intraepithelial neoplasia (ECCIN). 3. Interobserver variability in feature use

In our previous studies on endocervical columnar cell abnormalities, the ability of 5 cytotechnicians was tested to distinguish between cases of: no abnormalities, different grades of intraepithelial endocervical columnar cell atypias and invasive adenocarcinoma. On the basis of stepwise multiple regression analysis, nuclear chromatin distribution, variation in cellular and nuclear size, cytoplasmic eosinophilia and architectural features such as cell-crowding, cluster formation, formation of gland-like structures and pseudostratification appeared to be of primary diagnostic importance to discriminate between no abnormalities, different grades of cervical columnar cell atypias, adenocarcinoma in situ and adenocarcinoma. The present paper reports the results of a study which was designed to assess the individual performance in feature use and classification of endocervical lesions. The results of this study indicate that observers use different characteristics and different grading for the level of expression of these characteristics. However, all observers illustrated a strong relationship between the presence and the expression grade of a certain feature and the degree of endocervical columnar cell atypia. With acceptance of one grade of difference in grades of severity, an overall correct diagnosis was made in 87.6% of cases (range 80-98.2%).