COMPARATIVE STUDY
JOURNAL ARTICLE
RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Colposcopy is superior to cytology for the detection of early genital human papillomavirus infection.

Of 2232 women with no cytologic evidence of intraepithelial neoplasia, 250 (11.2%) were positive for human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by filter in situ hybridization. In 150 of those human papillomavirus-positive patients, an adequate colposcopic examination of the cervix was possible; human papillomavirus infection was diagnosed in 104 women (70%). Cervical cytology showed evidence of human papillomavirus infection in only 23 patients (15%). The following colposcopic features were most common: acetowhite epithelium (29%), punctuation (18%), acetowhite spikes (17%), and mosaicism (9%). Colposcopy was essentially normal in 27%. In 64 hysterectomized patients, vaginal colposcopy showed evidence of human papillomavirus infection in 38 women (59%). Vaginal cytology showed signs of human papillomavirus infection in only 9% (N = 6). Acetowhite spikes were seen in 52%, acetowhite epithelium in 5%, punctuation in 3%, and normal findings in 40%. Histologic examination of 25 biopsy specimens (cervical, N = 15; vaginal, N = 10) showed mainly a lack of glycogenation, acanthosis, and elongation of rete pegs. Koilocytosis and dyskeratosis were seen only in a few cases as rare foci, hence the negative cytology. We conclude that colposcopy is far more sensitive than cytology for the detection of cervical and vaginal human papillomavirus infection.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app