Pemphigus vulgaris with subclinical involvement of the uterine cervix. Report of a case with persistence of abnormal Papanicolaou smears posthysterectomy.
A case of pemphigus vulgaris is reported in which abnormal Papanicolaou smears continued prior to and after hysterectomy despite a normal pelvic examination. Microscopic foci of cervical pemphigus were found only in a retrospective study of the surgical material. Subclinical involvement of the cervicovaginal area with pemphigus, especially in a patient whose disease is apparently under control with steroids, can be a source of atypical Papanicolaou smears. The importance of careful colposcopic examination and clinical history is stressed for the gynecologist and cytopathologist, respectively.
D000328:Adult; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008593:Menopause; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000473:pathology*; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears