Value of cytology in papillary condylomatous lesions of the cervix.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the value of cytology in detecting mature and immature papillary condylomas of the uterine cervix.


METHODS
We evaluated 240 cases of plane cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, grade 1 (CIN 1), and 23 papillary condylomas by Pap smear and biopsy and classified histologic sections according to maturity and keratinization. We reevaluated corresponding cytologic smears and identified criteria of low grade squamous lesion (LSIL) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.


RESULTS
Thirteen (56.5%) papillary lesions were histologically classified as mature, 6 (26%) as immature and 4 (17.3%) as mixed. Fifteen lesions (65.2%) were nonkeratinized, 2 (8.6%) keratinized and 6 (26%) partially keratinized. Corresponding smears were cytologically diagnosed as LSIL (6, 26%), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) (7, 30.4%) and negative (10, 43.4%). Careful cytologic review diagnosed only two of the 13 mature lesions; few cytological criteria of LSIL and HPV infection were observed. Koilocytes were seen in just 1 case. Sample limiting factors occurred in 4 cases: 2 cytologically diagnosed as LSIL, 1 asASCUS and 1 as negative for lesion.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytology was not effective in the detection of cervical condyloma acuminatum, independent of limitations in sample adequacy and of the degree of maturity or keratinization of the lesions.
Pinto
Alvaro Piazzetta
AP
Department of Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil. alvaropi@bsi.com.br
Carvalho
Maria Cristina
MC
Kolb
Suzane
S
Tirone
Fábio Antônio
FA
Maia
Luis Roberto
LR
Escobar
Cátia Silene
CS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology