Smears diagnosed as ASCUS: Interobserver variation and follow-up Journal Article
| Authors: | Gatscha, R. M.; Abadi, M.; Babore, S.; Chhieng, D.; Miller, M. J.; Saigo, P. E. |
| Article Title: | Smears diagnosed as ASCUS: Interobserver variation and follow-up |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to apply atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) criteria from the Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical/Vaginal Cytologic Diagnoses (TBS) to the rescreen of cases previously diagnosed as ASCUS, to compare initial and rescreen diagnoses, and to analyze agreement with follow-up (cytology or histology). Two cytotechnologists (S.B. and M.J.M.) and one cytopathology fellow (M.A.) rescreened 632 cervicovaginal specimens diagnosed as ASCUS between June 1, 1992-December 31, 1995. Age and LMP were provided. Rescreen diagnoses were categorized as within normal limits (WNL), ASCUS, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), or carcinoma (CA). Complete agreement was found in 200 specimens (32%): 31 (15%) WNL; 91 (45%) ASCUS; 77 (38.5%) SIL; and one (0.50%) CA. Follow-up revealed no abnormality in 67% of the cases reclassified as WNL, 49% of the cases reclassified as ASCUS, and 48% of the cases reclassified as squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). SIL was found in 29% of cases reclassified as WNL, 29% of specimens rediagnosed as ASCUS, and 34% of cases reclassified as SIL. Partial agreement was found in 391 specimens (62%), In 41 specimens (6%), rescreeners were in complete disagreement, and follow-up revealed 9/41 (22%) SIL or worse; 21/41 (51%) WNL; and 4/41 (10%) inconclusive. Applying established criteria, 14% (91/632) of cases diagnosed as ASCUS resulted in complete agreement, and 30% (190/632) resulted in partial agreement. Follow-up of cases initially diagnosed as ASCUS revealed SIL or CA in 30% of cases, ASCUS is a significant diagnosis warranting careful patient follow-up. © 2001 Wiley-Liss. Inc. |
| Keywords: | human tissue; major clinical study; follow up; observer variation; vagina; cell type; uterine cervix cytology; cytodiagnosis; vaginal neoplasms; vaginal smears; follow-up; agreement; squamous cell; humans; human; female; priority journal; article; atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance; rescreen; tbs criteria; vaginal diseases |
| Journal Title: | Diagnostic Cytopathology |
| Volume: | 25 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| ISSN: | 8755-1039 |
| Publisher: | Wiley Liss |
| Date Published: | 2001-08-01 |
| Start Page: | 138 |
| End Page: | 140 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1002/dc.2022 |
| PUBMED: | 11477722 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Export Date: 21 May 2015 -- Source: Scopus |
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