Endocervical atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance. II. Morphometric and cytologic analysis of nuclear features useful in characterizing differently correlated subgroups.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether some nuclear features analyzed by morphometry and cytology may be useful in characterizing differently correlated endocervical atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS) subgroups.


METHODS
Fifty-four endocervical AGUS smears were subclassified into four subgroups on the basis of their different correlation: not otherwise specified subgroup (NOSs), tamoxifen (Ts), human papillomavirus infection (HPVs) and laser therapy (LTs). Area and shape of the atypical nuclei detected were morphometrically measured. The smears were then cytologically reviewed, and the shape and grade of expression of hyperchomasia in AGUS nuclei were analyzed.


RESULTS
AGUS cases due to T therapy showed the largest nuclear area (148.845 micron 2; P < .0000) and the greatest anisonucleosis objectively measured by morphometry. HPVs had the shape that most differed from perfectly circular (15.341 versus 14.1) and showed the highest grade of expression of nuclear density. LTs and NOSs were less well characterized than the other subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of nuclear features by morphometry and cytology was useful in characterizing the AGUS subgroups Ts and HPVs.
Cenci
M
M
Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, Rome University, "La Sapienza," Italy.
Mancini
R
R
Nofroni
I
I
Vecchione
A
A
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000473:pathology*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen