Spectrum of cytologic changes in pregnancy. A review of 100 abnormal cervicovaginal smears, with emphasis on diagnostic pitfalls.
OBJECTIVE
To review pregnancy-related changes in cervicovaginal smears and to distinguish them from neoplasia and dysplasia.


METHODS
One hundred consecutive abnormal cervicovaginal smears from pregnant women obtained during 1992-1993 were reviewed. Corresponding biopsies that were available were also reviewed for cytologic correlation.


RESULTS
Sixty-one percent of cases showed inflammation changes, 21% contained low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 9% had high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Diagnostic problems were encountered with decidual cells, Arias-Stella reaction and trophoblastic cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Both the clinician and pathologist must be aware of diagnostic pitfalls and false positive diagnoses in pregnancy. Hence, it is extremely important that the clinician notify the pathologist about the pregnancy status of the patient.
Pisharodi
L R
LR
Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
Jovanoska
S
S
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears