ASCUS on cervical cytologic smears. Clinical significance.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the significance of the category atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in predicting the presence of underlying squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and to determine the best follow-up method.


METHODS
Follow-up studies of all cervical cytologic smears with a diagnosis of ASCUS within 14 months were reviewed.


RESULTS
SIL was diagnosed in 66.67% of ASCUS patients upon follow-up with biopsies with and without smears. SIL was diagnosed in 17.39% of ASCUS patients upon follow-up with smears only.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on this study, ASCUS on smears serves as a good marker of underlying SIL. Follow-up studies with biopsies with and without smears appear to be more effective in detecting underlying low grade SIL than repeat smears only.
Yang
M
M
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston 77030, USA.
Zachariah
S
S
D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology