title: Correlations between unsatisfactory colposcopy, cytology, and biopsy in patients with cervical abnormalities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main purpose of this study is to review the clinical features of negative loop electrosurgical procedure(LEEP)-cones, in order to lower their rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Some 162 patients with LEEP-cones were reviewed. Control cytology,satisfactory-unsatisfactory colposcopy, biopsies and endocervical curettage (ECC) were compared to the presence or absence of cone pathology. Statistical analysis, t -tests and Pearson x2 tests were performed, with a significance level of p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Negative cones are associated with unsatisfactory colposcopy in 47/60 cases (78.3%) compared to 13/60(21.8%) for satisfactory colposcopy (p=0.011). Unsatisfactory colposcopy is associated with a negative ECC in 53/74(71.6%) cases, compared to 21/74 (28.4%) for satisfactory colposcopy (p=0.024). Finally, negative ECC are associated with negative cones in 32/41 (78%) compared to 9/41 (22%) for positive ECC (p=0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low grade cytology, CIN1 biopsies and ECC should be followed for at least 1 year. This results in a lowering of cone negativity from 60/162(37%) to 32/162 (19.8%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, and Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada. bernardlambert@vif.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lepage
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D003127:Colposcopy; D019092:Conization / Q000379:methods*; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult