Autofluorescence spectroscopy for the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of autofluorescence spectroscopy in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) using broadband light excitation.


METHODS
Feasibility study.


METHODS
Colposcopy clinic of an university hospital.


METHODS
Sixty-eight patients at risk for CIN.


METHODS
After excitation with a broadband light between 375 and 440 nm, spectral distribution of native tissue fluorescence (autofluorescence) was acquired from 685 cervical sites for the localisation and differentiation of CIN, and compared with colposcopically directed biopsy and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing.


METHODS
Detection of CIN.


RESULTS
The evaluation of spectral measurements revealed significantly lower autofluorescence values for CIN 3 lesions compared with normal tissue (P < 0.001), and compared with CIN 1 or CIN 2 (P < 0.002). High grade CIN lesions (CIN 2/3) presented with a significant reduced autofluorescence compared with CIN 1 (P < 0.002). Patients with a positive HPV DNA testing showed a significantly lower autofluorescence than patients tested negative for HPV DNA (P < 0.05). Severe inflammation such as chronic cervicitis may lead to false positive results.


CONCLUSIONS
Autofluorescence spectroscopy represents an interesting approach for the detection of cervical neoplasia. Using an excitation wavelength band between 375 and 440 nm, significant differences between normal and precancerous lesions of the cervix can be seen.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Munich-Grosshadern, 81377 Munich, Germany.
Helmut
H
Weingandt
Herbert
H
Stepp
Reinhold
R
Baumgartner
Joachim
J
Diebold
Wei
W
Xiang
Peter
P
Hillemanns
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis*