Reliability and relationship of colposcopical, cytological and hystopathological findings in the diagnostic process

Background/Aim. The question about the accuracy of cytology and colposcopy is more and more asked due to false positive and negative findings on the basis of which the decision on biopsy is made. The aim of this study was to examine reliability of biopsies based only on abnormal colposcopical fin...

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Main Authors: Milenković Vera, Sparić Radmila, Dotlić Jelena, Tulić Lidija, Mirković Ljiljana, Milenković Svetlana, Atanacković Jasmina
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade 2012-01-01
Series:Vojnosanitetski Pregled
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2012/0042-84501210869M.pdf
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author Milenković Vera
Sparić Radmila
Dotlić Jelena
Tulić Lidija
Mirković Ljiljana
Milenković Svetlana
Atanacković Jasmina
author_facet Milenković Vera
Sparić Radmila
Dotlić Jelena
Tulić Lidija
Mirković Ljiljana
Milenković Svetlana
Atanacković Jasmina
author_sort Milenković Vera
collection DOAJ
description Background/Aim. The question about the accuracy of cytology and colposcopy is more and more asked due to false positive and negative findings on the basis of which the decision on biopsy is made. The aim of this study was to examine reliability of biopsies based only on abnormal colposcopical findings, before receiving the results of Papanicolaou (PA) smear, by comparing findings of colposcopical, cytological and histopathological (HP) examinations as well as determining validity of these diagnostic methods. Methods. The study involved all patients who had their regular colposcopical and cytological examinations in the outpatient department during a two-year period (2009-2010) in the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade. The material for HP examination was obtained by colposcopically directed biopsy, due to abnormal colposcopical findings and without waiting for PA smear results. The data obtained by these methods were statistically analyzed and compared. Furthermore, validity of colposcopical and cytological examinations was assessed. Results. Out of 127 patients highly significantly more patients had more malignant cervical changes on colposcopical exam compared to HP (p = 0.000), and cytological exam (p = 0.000). Highly significantly more patients had more malignant cervical changes on PA smear than HP exam (p = 0.000), unless when findings were assessed in the widest sense of benign and malignant changes when there were no significant differences in these findings (p = 0,450). Sensitivity of colposcopy as a diagnostic method was 87.5%, specificity 24.14%, positive predictive value (+PV) was 34.65% and negative predictive value (-PV) 80.77%. Sensitivity of PA smear as a diagnostic method was 62.5%, specificity 87.36%, +PV was 69.44%, and -PV 83.52%. Conclusion. Regarding the results of our study it is best to make a decision on treatment according to findings of all the three methods. Cytological analysis is more reliable than colposcopical examination. Therefore, it is advisable that following abnormal colposcopical findings, PA smear should always be taken and only after receiving the results further diagnostics can be planned (biopsy and HP). A final decision on the therapy has to be made based on HP findings which are the only method that can give the ultimate reliable diagnosis of cervical changes.
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spelling doaj-art-e8302206a256484fbe14980a1e28b16d2025-08-20T02:22:15ZengMinistry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, BelgradeVojnosanitetski Pregled0042-84502012-01-01691086987310.2298/VSP1210869MReliability and relationship of colposcopical, cytological and hystopathological findings in the diagnostic processMilenković VeraSparić RadmilaDotlić JelenaTulić LidijaMirković LjiljanaMilenković SvetlanaAtanacković JasminaBackground/Aim. The question about the accuracy of cytology and colposcopy is more and more asked due to false positive and negative findings on the basis of which the decision on biopsy is made. The aim of this study was to examine reliability of biopsies based only on abnormal colposcopical findings, before receiving the results of Papanicolaou (PA) smear, by comparing findings of colposcopical, cytological and histopathological (HP) examinations as well as determining validity of these diagnostic methods. Methods. The study involved all patients who had their regular colposcopical and cytological examinations in the outpatient department during a two-year period (2009-2010) in the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade. The material for HP examination was obtained by colposcopically directed biopsy, due to abnormal colposcopical findings and without waiting for PA smear results. The data obtained by these methods were statistically analyzed and compared. Furthermore, validity of colposcopical and cytological examinations was assessed. Results. Out of 127 patients highly significantly more patients had more malignant cervical changes on colposcopical exam compared to HP (p = 0.000), and cytological exam (p = 0.000). Highly significantly more patients had more malignant cervical changes on PA smear than HP exam (p = 0.000), unless when findings were assessed in the widest sense of benign and malignant changes when there were no significant differences in these findings (p = 0,450). Sensitivity of colposcopy as a diagnostic method was 87.5%, specificity 24.14%, positive predictive value (+PV) was 34.65% and negative predictive value (-PV) 80.77%. Sensitivity of PA smear as a diagnostic method was 62.5%, specificity 87.36%, +PV was 69.44%, and -PV 83.52%. Conclusion. Regarding the results of our study it is best to make a decision on treatment according to findings of all the three methods. Cytological analysis is more reliable than colposcopical examination. Therefore, it is advisable that following abnormal colposcopical findings, PA smear should always be taken and only after receiving the results further diagnostics can be planned (biopsy and HP). A final decision on the therapy has to be made based on HP findings which are the only method that can give the ultimate reliable diagnosis of cervical changes.http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2012/0042-84501210869M.pdfuterine cervical neoplasmsuterine cervical displasiadiagnosisdiagnostic techniques and procedurescolposcopyvaginal smearshistological techniques
spellingShingle Milenković Vera
Sparić Radmila
Dotlić Jelena
Tulić Lidija
Mirković Ljiljana
Milenković Svetlana
Atanacković Jasmina
Reliability and relationship of colposcopical, cytological and hystopathological findings in the diagnostic process
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
uterine cervical neoplasms
uterine cervical displasia
diagnosis
diagnostic techniques and procedures
colposcopy
vaginal smears
histological techniques
title Reliability and relationship of colposcopical, cytological and hystopathological findings in the diagnostic process
title_full Reliability and relationship of colposcopical, cytological and hystopathological findings in the diagnostic process
title_fullStr Reliability and relationship of colposcopical, cytological and hystopathological findings in the diagnostic process
title_full_unstemmed Reliability and relationship of colposcopical, cytological and hystopathological findings in the diagnostic process
title_short Reliability and relationship of colposcopical, cytological and hystopathological findings in the diagnostic process
title_sort reliability and relationship of colposcopical cytological and hystopathological findings in the diagnostic process
topic uterine cervical neoplasms
uterine cervical displasia
diagnosis
diagnostic techniques and procedures
colposcopy
vaginal smears
histological techniques
url http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2012/0042-84501210869M.pdf
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AT dotlicjelena reliabilityandrelationshipofcolposcopicalcytologicalandhystopathologicalfindingsinthediagnosticprocess
AT tuliclidija reliabilityandrelationshipofcolposcopicalcytologicalandhystopathologicalfindingsinthediagnosticprocess
AT mirkovicljiljana reliabilityandrelationshipofcolposcopicalcytologicalandhystopathologicalfindingsinthediagnosticprocess
AT milenkovicsvetlana reliabilityandrelationshipofcolposcopicalcytologicalandhystopathologicalfindingsinthediagnosticprocess
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