Efficacy of treatment of inflammatory cytologic abnormalities detected by papanicolaou smears: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of metronidazole versus no treatment for the empiric treatment of inflammatory cytologic changes.


METHODS
Patients with inflammatory changes on Pap smear were serially assigned to receive no treatment or metronidazole by one of three regimens: 2 grams orally as a single dose, 500 milligrams orally twice daily for 7 days, or 5 grams (in gel form) vaginally twice daily for 5 days. Smears were repeated 3 months after treatment.


RESULTS
The repeat smear was normal in 47 of 63 patients treated with a single dose, 40 of 62 patients treated orally for 7 days, 14 of 21 patients treated with vaginal gel, and 29 of 49 of the control group. Chi-square analysis showed no statistical significance between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no statistically significant difference in the resolution of cytologic inflammatory changes among the study groups. Empiric metronidazole treatment has no benefit.
Webb
J C
JC
William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, El Paso, TX.
Wharton
G G
GG
Hawley-Bowland
C
C
Carlson
J W
JW