title: [An interlaboratory study of the use of PapNet in the quality control of cervico-vaginal cytology].
abstract: In this feasibility study of the utilization of the PapNet System (Neuromedical Systems, Suffern, NY) for computer-assisted cervical/vaginal cytology diagnosis, a random sample of 329 negative smears and a series of 68 positive smears reported as such by the Caltagirone laboratory, underwent PapNet review at the Imola laboratory. False-positive (FP) cases (smears originally classified as ASCUS, LGSIL, AGUS, e HGSIL and interpreted as negative on PapNet) and false-negative (FN) cases (reverse discrepancies) were further and conventionally re-evaluated by the staff of the originating laboratory. On PapNet review, there were 16/68 FP cases (23.5%) e 20/329 FN cases (6.1%) with a FP:FN rate ratio of 3.8 (95% confidence interval, 2.2-6.3). At final re-examination of these diagnostic errors, most FP cases (14/16) were confirmed as such whereas the FN cases significantly decreased from 20 to 9, with a final rate of 2.7%. As a consequence, the ratio of the FP rate (14/68) to the FN rate (9/329) rose to 7.5 (4.1-12.6). The study suggests one potential approach to the preliminary utilization of PapNet by those laboratories that are interested in this technology. The results are in accordance with those of the previous PapNet review studies which have generally shown a greater frequency of FP cases compared with FN cases.
authors.affiliation: Azienda Ospedaliera Gravina, Caltagirone.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cosentino
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ghidoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salemi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Folicaldi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amadori
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bondi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011786:Quality Control; D011897:Random Allocation; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*