Classification
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
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.