Does acetic acid influence the non-dysplastic Pap smear?
OBJECTIVE
Acetic acid tests are commonly performed for colposcopic evaluation of the cervix. However, it is unclear whether the acetic acid influences normal Papanicolaou (Pap) smear results.


METHODS
Patients were routinely seen in our outpatient department between April and May 2009. Two Pap smears were performed in 50 patients. One smear was done before, the other after the acetic acid test. The smears were evaluated by an experienced cytologist. He did not know whether the smear was done with or without acetic acid.


RESULTS
In a normal smear, there was no influence of acetic acid on the cytologic result. In two patients, a smear of Pap III [Bethesda, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)] was seen before acetic acid test. This changed to Pap IIID [Bethesda, low-grade squamous epithelial lesions (LSIL)] after acetic acid test.


CONCLUSIONS
The acetic acid test does not seem to alter the result of the non-dysplastic smear. In contrast to this, a dysplastic smear seems to be influenced by the acetic acid. This should be evaluated in a further investigation.
Hornemann
Amadeus
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Luebeck, Germany. amadeus@hornemann.de
Husstedt
Wolf-Dietrich
WD
Hoellen
Friederike
F
Kamischke
Axel
A
Diedrich
Klaus
K
Bohlmann
Michael K
MK
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003127:Colposcopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult
D000085:Acetates