title: Cone biopsy: has endocervical sampling a role?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of endocervical sampling in women with abnormal cervical smears.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized study of two methods of endocervical sampling.
  
  
  METHODS
  Colposcopy clinic at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 women with abnormal cervical smears selected for cone biopsy according to current colposcopy criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  53 women were randomized to have endocervical sampling with the Kevorkian curette and 47 to have sampling with the Medscand endocervical brush.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cytology and histology results from endocervical sampling compared with cone biopsy histology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall sensitivity of endocervical sampling was 56%, with a false negative rate of 44% and a negative predictive value of 26%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endocervical sampling should not influence management when colposcopy is unsatisfactory.
authors.affiliation: Harris Birthright Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Strachan
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Parkin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D003127:Colposcopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears