ASC:SIL ratio following implementation of the 2001 Bethesda System.
The 2001 Bethesda system (TBS 2001) eliminated the "satisfactory but limited by" category, benign cellular changes (BCC), and the designations "favor benign" (ASC-B) and "favor low grade" (ASC-L) for atypical squamous cells. We compared the unsatisfactory rate and atypical squamous cells:squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASC:SIL) ratio pre- and postimplementation of TBS 2001 to see if there was an increase in unsatisfactory specimens, ASC rate, and altered ASC:SIL ratio. Pap Tests (569,726) reviewed at the Cytopathology Laboratory of Women and Infants Hospital from 1998-2002 were included. TBS 1991 terminology was used through December 31, 2001. Conversion to TBS 2001 took place on January 1, 2002. The average ASC:SIL ratios pre- and postimplementation of TBS 2001 were 1.52:1 and 1.42:1, respectively. The rates of unsatisfactory specimens and ASC remained unchanged. Conversion to TBS 2001 did not adversely affect the ASC:SIL ratio or the detection rates of abnormalities of Pap tests.
Quddus
M Ruhul
MR
Department of Pathology, Women and Infants Hospital and Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02905, USA.
Sung
C James
CJ
Eklund
Claire M
CM
Reilly
Mary E
ME
Steinhoff
Margaret M
MM
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000592:standards*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis*