title: Using cytology to evaluate the endocervical canal after loop excision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assesses cytology to evaluate the endocervical canal immediately after loop excision.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 103 patients, we performed a cytologic smear and endocervical curettage immediately after loop excision. Diagnoses were made independently by two cytopathologists and compared to histology. Diagnostic agreement was evaluated statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cytopathologist "A" found a sensitivity of 1.0, specificity of 0.9, positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.44 and negative predictive value (NPV) of 1.0. Cytopathologist "B" found a sensitivity of 0.88, specificity of 0.78, PPV of 0.3 and NPV of 0.98. There was good agreement between the two cytopathologists (kappa = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.25, 0.60). Twenty-five endocervical curettage specimens were insufficient for diagnosis. Seven and 4 cytology specimens were judged unsatisfactory by each cytopathologist, respectively. Histologic and cytologic evaluation charges were $283 and $60.50 per patient, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of cytology efficiently evaluates the endocervical canal after loop excision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Tri A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Dinh
authors.forename: Vicki J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Schnadig
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Logrono
authors.forename: Edward V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Hannigan
authors.forename: Joseph T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Santoso