title: Worm-like artifacts in exfoliative cytology.
abstract: The presence of worms in cytological smears is occasionally reported, although various other structures exist that may be confused with such parasites. We present eight worm-like artifacts observed in routine Papanicolaou smears. Recognition of these structures is important to avoid overvaluation or confusion with true worms.
authors.affiliation: Ciclo Formativo Anatomía Patológica y Citología, Instituto de Piedras Blancas, Asturias, Spain. rafaelmgiron@terra.es
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez-Girón
authors.forename: José Rafael
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: González-López
authors.forename: José-Guillermo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: María Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: García-Miralles
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alvarez-de-los-Heros
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ribas-Barceló
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000473:pathology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D014626:Vaginal Smears