This site is intended for healthcare professionals

CPD
CPD
Pro
Pro
Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Classification

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Smears are classified by their nuclear abnormality:

  • unsatisfactory - too few cells or slide processed incorrectly
  • inflammatory / inconclusive / borderline - the cells may be distorted by the effects of:
    • infection - HPV, HSV, trichomoniasis, candidiasis. HPV is a commensal in 80% of women but also a risk factor for neoplastic change, especially subtypes 16 and 18
    • sexual intercourse within the previous 48 hours
    • cervical erosion
    • underlying CIN or malignancy
  • normal
  • mild dyskaryosis - corresponds to CIN 1; nucleus fills less than two thirds of the cell
  • moderate dyskaryosis - corresponds to CIN 2; nucleus fills more than two thirds of the cell;
  • severe dyskaryosis - corresponds to CIN 3; nucleus fills nearly the entire cell

A typical series might show:

  • normal - more than 90%
  • unsatisfactory or inflammatory - 3-5%
  • mild dyskaryosis or HPV - 3-5%
  • moderate or severe dyskaryosis - 1-3%

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.