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Use of the colposcope in childhood sexual abuse examinations.

The addition of the colposcope to the armamentarium of the medical investigator of childhood sexual abuse has many advantages. The ability to accurately record anatomic findings has implications for the medical community, the judicial system, the accused, the victim, and the family. Through the use of the photographs produced by this instrument, examiners can inspect physical findings without the time constraints imposed by the short attention span of the young child. If necessary, colleagues can be consulted and interpretations discussed. The availability of these photographs to the courts has reduced the need to re-examine the child for another opinion. The colposcopic photograph has also proved to be an excellent teaching and research tool. As an aid to teaching, the photographs and slides produced by this instrument help the instructor demonstrate anatomic findings while allowing the student time to ask questions. As a research tool, this instrument has opened up a myriad of possibilities for medical examiners. It has facilitated the collection of clinical data, it has allowed the standardization of examination techniques, and with the help of computers it has made possible the sophisticated analysis of the information collected. The colposcope has limitations. Aside from its cost, it is a difficult instrument to use in the examination of the young child. The time required for an examination can increase substantially as the examiner attempts to maneuver the scope into a proper position. During this procedure, the maintenance of the child in a suitable state of relaxation, while avoiding further emotional trauma, can be a challenge. The reality that the photograph is two dimensional and represents only the findings at that moment will always be a limiting factor in its use as a means of assessing a child's anatomy. Even the multimethod approach employed to offset this problem may compound the situation by further increasing the length of the examination. Most of these and other dilemmas encountered in the use of the colposcope can be solved by additional experience with this instrument. Despite the improvements brought about by the introduction of the colposcope, more advanced technology may be needed to help solve some of the problems currently plaguing medical examiners. The use of video tape could provide a solution to the documentation of the changes that occur in the soft tissues as the child moves or becomes more or less relaxed. The potential of the computer appears unlimited, and its application to the problem of the interpretation of findings could make a significant contribution to the field.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child↗

Loop excision for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytology: correlation with colposcopic and histologic findings.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine the correlation between colposcopic and histologic findings in patients who have undergone loop electrosurgical excision of the cervix (LEEP) for high-grade dysplasia on cytology without prior colposcopically directed biopsy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent LEEP for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) on Papanicolaou (Pap) smear without a prior cervical biopsy over a 17-month period. We correlated the histologic result with colposcopic findings at the time of LEEP. RESULTS: Of 104 patients undergoing LEEP, 63 patients (61%) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or greater. Thirty-four (54%) of these 63 patients with histologically proved high-grade dysplasia had a normal or low-grade colposcopic examination. There were 10 patients with CIN 1 to CIN 1-2 and 1 patient with microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Despite lack of correlation between colposcopic and histologic results, HGSIL on Pap smear is an appropriate indication for LEEP.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Colposcopic evaluation of patients with abnormal cervical cytology.

Because of suspicious or abnormal smears, 620 patients were referred to the Colposcopy Clinic of the British Columbia Cancer Institute between 1st March 1973 and 31st December 1974; it was possible to make a colposcopic examination in 549 of these patients (88.5 per cent). The colposcopic impression was within one histological grade of a colposcopically-directed biopsy in 476 patients (86 per cent). There were 221 patients who had a cone biopsy after a colposcopically-directed biopsy and in 192 of these (87 per cent) the two biopsies were within one histological grade of each other; but there were two patients with occult invasive carcinoma in a cone biopsy and only carcinoma in situ in a directed biopsy. In the same group of 221 patients the colposcopic evaluation and final diagnosis (the most advanced histological lesion seen in biopsy) agreed in all but seven patients.

Adult↗

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and 'wary' atypia: a study of colposcopic, histological and cytological characteristics.

Colposcopic, histological and cytological characteristics of 168 consecutive patients attending a colposcopy clinic were reviewed. A group of patients demonstrated a cluster of histological features previously related to possible human papilloma virus infection of cervical epithelium, including particularly koilocytosis, double nucleation and dyskeratosis. These patients had a significantly greater occurrence of colposcopic 'finger-like' lesion outline and colposcopic impression of warty change, but not of other specific colposcopic features. Over two-thirds of patients with histological warty features did not show these colposcopic changes. Cytological changes previously related to warty lesions did not occur commonly, and appeared to underestimate the histological occurrence of such changes. Histological changes considered to represent CIN were uncommon in patients who said that they had begun sexual activity less than 10 years ago, whereas patients with warty characteristics on histology showed no such bias.

Cervix Uteri↗

Digital imaging colposcopy, image analysis and quantification of the colposcopic image.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of a digital imaging system for colposcopy, its use for image analysis and quantification of the colposcopic features that may predict histological outcome as defined by large loop excision of transformation zone. DESIGN: Prospective programme study of all patients undergoing colposcopy for cytological abnormalities. SETTING: Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham. SUBJECTS: Fifty consecutive patients having cytological and colposcopic abnormality treated with large loop excision of transformation zone formed the study group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pretreatment and colposcopic features correlated with histological diagnosis of excised transformation zone. RESULTS: Index cytology and current smoking status are the most important variables for prediction of histological diagnosis. Other important variables are focality of lesion, surface pattern, intercapillary distance and degree of acetowhiteness. CONCLUSION: Digital imaging colposcopy allows image capture, processing and objective analysis. This methodology holds advantages for basic and clinical research, teaching, diagnostics and clinical audit. The system can act as a quality control tool for colposcopy units. This system should prove invaluable for further quantitative studies, for natural history studies and for those patients with deferred treatment of their cytological and colposcopic abnormalities. The statistical models described may be incorporated into the system and can aid the colposcopist in management of the woman with abnormal cervical cytology and colposcopic abnormality.

Adolescent↗

An analysis of the factors involved in the diagnostic accuracy of colposcopically directed biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of colposcopically directed biopsy with the final diagnosis established by the analysis of the surgical specimen, and to determine the clinical and colposcopic factors on which the reliability of biopsy is based. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five hundred and sixty-seven women were seen by the same colposcopist who also performed the directed biopsies and/or the endocervical curettage. The final histological diagnosis identified 29 normal aspects (5.2%), 58 low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN) (10.2%), 448 high-grade CINs (79.0%), 16 microinvasive cancers (2.8%) and 16 occult invasive cancers (2.8%). The influence of several factors--such as age, parity, menopause, pregnancy, history of cervical treatment, site of the squamocolumnar junction, localization, size and severity of the lesions--on the pertinence of the biopsy was studied in a uni- and multifactorial analysis. RESULTS: Colposcopy was satisfactory in 399 patients (70.4%) in whom the colposcopic aspect was consistent with the final histological diagnosis in 81.2% of cases. The global agreement between biopsy diagnosis and final diagnosis was observed in 89.6% of cases. It was 84.2% for low-grade CINs, 95.8% for high-grade CINs, 31.2% for microinvasive cancers and 81.2% for invasive cancers. No clinical or colposcopic factor could be identified as independent factor associated with the diagnostic agreement with the directed biopsy. Conversely, concordance of biopsy was related to the final diagnosis since the only independent risk factors were a high-grade CIN (adjusted risk ratio (ARR)=1.52, 95% CI=1.11-2.08; p=0.006) and a microinvasive or invasive cancer (ARR=0.56, 95% CI=0.39 0.81; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: To ensure that a microinvasive cancer has not been overlooked, the excision of high-grade CINs seems to be justified, whatever the clinical status and the colposcopic aspect.

Adolescent↗

[Therapeutic results of colposcopically controled collection of cervix tissue in atypical smears of women up to the age of 35 years].

The case series consists of 106 women consecutively collected during 1968 to 1973 from those with a vaginal smear belonging to Papanicolou's groups III and attending the gynaecological department in Umeå. Probably the series is a fair random sample of the population (congruent to 150,000 people) of the area served by the clinic. The extension of the colposcopically delimited atypical transformation zone (with its upper bordèrline against normal cervical villi) in most cases being small, the surgical procedure--a small cone congruet to ring biopsy--was accordingly insignificant. In 9 cases only a large conization was performed. As only a small part of the cervical tissue was usually removed it is probable that the enzymatic and mechanical properties of the cervix as well as its capacity as a sperm reservoir could be preserved. The median of the observation time is 26 months, range 3 months to 5 years. At the follow up the colposcopic and histological picture has so far shown no sign of atypia in 91 subjects. The same applies cytologically to the patients subjected to a large conization. Two women have moved away from the district. A relapse occurred in 4 patients, who after a large conization have remained cytologically negative. Throughout the investigation the term a typia has been used to characterize the cytological, colposcopic and histological changes, the degree and extension of this atypia being taken into considertion. Thus the abstruse nomenclature in common use is avoided. Cytological atypia is cellular in character, while histologically it includes the degree of structural derangement of the epithelial architecture as well. Colposcopically the angioarchitecture and the capillary distance seem to be the most important features. The correlation between the colposcopic and the cytological and histological findings is high when the degree of atypia is marked. It is inferred, therefore, that the descriptive term atypia should replace the superfluos bulk of terms in the fields in question.

Colposcopy↗

Improving the sensitivity of cervical cytologic screening. A comparison of duplicate smears and colposcopic examination of patients with cytologic inflammatory epithelial changes.

During a ten-month period, 264 cervical cytologic specimens were submitted in duplicate to two separate cytology laboratories. An attempt was made to perform colposcopy on all 45 patients reported as having an abnormality by either laboratory. All but one patient with a cytologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) underwent colposcopy, as did 68% of the patients with a diagnosis of nondysplastic atypia (inflammatory epithelial changes [IEC]). Five cases of histologically verified CIN were found by colposcopic study of patients with a cytologic diagnosis of CIN; two additional cases were found by colposcopic study of patients with a cytologic diagnosis of IEC. On the assumption that patients not colposcoped were not systematically different from the others with IEC, the screening sensitivities for both laboratories and for cytology followed by colposcopy of IEC cases were estimated. A statistically significant improvement in screening sensitivity was achieved by colposcopic examination of patients with IEC. This conclusion was tempered by a Bayesian analysis that suggested that some of the apparent improved sensitivity could be due to falsely positive biopsy reports. Despite potential benefits, it is premature to recommend universal colposcopic examination of patients with cytologic reports of inflammatory epithelial changes.

Cervix Uteri↗

The value of endocervical curettage as part of the standard colposcopic evaluation.

Whether to perform endocervical curettage (ECC) as part of a routine colposcopic examination in patients with an abnormal Papanicolaou smear remains controversial. Some studies consider ECC an essential part of a colposcopic examination regardless of the level of the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ); others consider it superfluous in cases where the SCJ can be visualized. Between January 1980 and December 1982, 278 new patients with abnormal Papanicolaou smears underwent colposcopy. Directed biopsies established the degree of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and ruled out invasive disease. ECC was done on every patient. A total of 51 patients (18%) had a positive ECC. Seven patients could not be evaluated because their records were incomplete. Of the 44 evaluable patients, 32 (73%) had satisfactory colposcopy. In the remaining 12 (27%) the upper limit of the transformation zone could not be seen clearly; in that group the degrees of CIN on colposcopic biopsy and ECC were in agreement in two cases; ECC revealed the degree to be less severe in four cases and more severe in six (50%). In the group with satisfactory examinations, 15 had the same degree of CIN on colposcopic biopsy and ECC; ten had less severe and seven (22%), more severe degrees of CIN on ECC. Of greatest clinical importance was that, overall, 11.5% had a positive ECC despite a satisfactory colposcopic examination. This study indicated that ECC provides unique and important information, justifying its inclusion as part of the standard evaluation of every patient undergoing colposcopy for abnormal cervical cytology.

Biopsy↗

Evaluation of colposcopic accuracy without endocervical curettage.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of colposcopic examination when performed without the use of endocervical curettage. It included 763 cases of suspected cervical-vaginal pathology. An additional evaluation of colposcopic accuracy was made for special-case categories of 1) stromal invasion, 2) pregnancy, 3) menopause, and 4) diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure. Colposcopic accuracy was determined by cytologic and histologic material obtained either at the initial colposcopic evaluation or during follow-up surgery. With the literature as a standard for accuracy, it was concluded that the omission of endocervical curettage from the colposcopic examination did not reduce accuracy. In addition, the diagnostic conization rate was lower than in most reported series. Finally, the rate of missed invasive lesions was not increased by the omission of endocervical curettage.

Adolescent↗

[Preliminary experience with colposcopic diagnosis of cervical adenocarcinoma].

Colposcopic technique has become a major method in the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Sixteen patients of adenocarcinoma of the cervix were examined by colposcopy from 1984.2 to 1991.6. Transformation-zone-like and papillary finding were common colposcopical appearances of adenocarcinoma of the cervix. The common vascular patterns in 16 cases were root-like vessels and waste-thread-like vessel. Among the 16 cases, cytologic positive rate was only 25% (3/12), while the accordance rate between colposcopic examination and pathology was 84.6% (11/13). The result suggests that colposcopic examination is superior to the cytology in the diagnosis of cervical adenocarcinoma. Based on the above results and the data of literature, we consider that there are obvious differences of colposcopic findings between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix which may be useful in the early diagnosis of the cervical adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Current indications for colposcopic examination].

OBJECTIVE: It has become necessary to set out exactly the indications for colposcopic examination and to improve out-patient therapy. A response has been made to the ever increasing pre-cancerous pathological conditions of the lower genital tract. TYPE OF STUDY: A review of the pathological conditions of the lower genital tract has led to colposcopic examinations being carried out to work out how far grounded its indications are. The authors particularly lead to the future for colposcopy and histology of so called "atypical" cytology. MATERIAL: A review of the literature and a retrospective study of the agreement between the cytology and the histology in 1,454 patients who were examined and followed up at the centre for laparoscopy and colposcopy between 1.1.1987 and 31.12.1991. THE PRINCIPLE: A study of the information is being gathered about the cytological, colposcopic and histological diagnoses. PRINCIPLES RESULTS: Dysplasias diagnosed cytologically were confirmed in 95% of cases by colposcopic examination and by the results of directed biopsy. In over 90% cases of smears showing "atypical" cells the colposcopy confirmed the pathology that was found and in more than 85% of cases the histological examination confirmed a papillomavirus lesion or a dysplasia of the cervix or elsewhere in the lower genital tract. CONCLUSION: Over and above the indication for colposcopic examination, cytological dysplasias were found and to were condylomata of the lower genital tract or leukoplakia of the vulva, and one has to add "atypical" smears. Furthermore repeating a smear in cases of atypical cytology is useless, and can be deceptive. Systemic control of the vulva and vagina has to be carried out when the cervix is examined because there is a frequent association of dysplasic lesions and there is a possible presence of isolated extracervical lesions when cytologically pathological smears are found.

Ambulatory Care↗

Atypical cervical cytology. Colposcopic follow-up using the Bethesda System.

Patients with a cytologic diagnosis of either atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (squamous ACUS) (191), atypical squamous cells suggestive of papillomavirus (ACPV) (79), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (184) or atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (glandular ACUS) (30) obtained over an 18-month period were evaluated colposcopically at the National Naval Medical Center. The diagnosis of squamous atypia rendered using the Bethesda System was reduced when compared to the diagnosis of atypia rendered using traditional cytologic terms (1.9% versus 7.2%). Results from colposcopic evaluations of patients with squamous ACUS demonstrated similar rates of underlying dysplasia as in studies using older terminology (low grade dysplasia in 14% and high grade in 6% of the referrals). Colposcopic evaluation of patients with a referral diagnosis of squamous ACPV demonstrated rates of underlying low grade dysplasia double that of the diagnosis of squamous ACUS but half that of a diagnosis of LSIL (25% versus 14%, and 48%, respectively). Colposcopic evaluation of glandular ACUS rendered a diagnosis of high grade dysplasia more than three times (20%) as often as of squamous ACUS (6%). While the Bethesda System reduces inconsistencies in the diagnosis of atypical cytologic changes, a separate category (ACUS) appears to be useful in identifying underlying, unsuspected low grade dysplasias in our laboratory. In addition, glandular atypias herald a significant rate of underlying high grade dysplasias and warrant immediate colposcopic investigation.

Adolescent↗

Biology and colposcopic features of human papillomavirus-associated cervical disease.

Target biopsy and transformation zone ablation on excision is the mainstay of management for cervical lesions that can be adequately visualized. For the physician who does not progress beyond whimsical estimates of lesion prominence (which cannot differentiate minor- from major-grade lesions), the colposcope will never be more than a simple aid to the collection of directed biopsy specimens. Unfortunately, in situations in which the clinician's only option is passive response to the histopathology report, optimal management of the patient's disease will not occur. Indeed, the best prospect for diagnosing or prognosticating confusing disease patterns can sometimes be lost by blind precipitous intervention. Because the most prominent areas of colposcopic change do not necessarily coincide with the areas of greatest histologic abnormality, less experienced colposcopists may not be able to select the most abnormal sites for target biopsy. Peripheral areas of prominent aceto-whitening tend to be overinterpreted, and the subtle acetowhitening of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia near the canal tends to be easily overlooked. This problem is best solved by using colposcopic criteria that are based on critical analysis, rather than "pattern recognition." It is easy to derive the four proven colposcopic criteria, and they can be quickly compiled into an index that helps the clinician recognize lesion severity while he or she is performing the colposcopy. Of course, using the colposcopic index to infer approximate histologic findings does not eliminate the importance of biopsy. Skilled physicians will conscientiously follow the triage rules, including the need to collect carefully sited target biopsy specimens.

Colposcopy↗

Colposcopic evaluation of patients with abnormal cervical cytology.

A total of 1580 new patients underwent colposcopic evalution in the Dysplasia Clinic at Nassau County Medical Center. Of these patients, 186 had abnormal Papanicolaou smears associated with pregnancy, 150 were referred because of in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol, and 1244 were referred because of abnormal cervical cytologic smear or suspicious cervical or vaginal lesion. Further analysis of this latter group revealed that 1184 (95%) patients had satisfactory colposcopic evaluation, and directed biopsy showed the following: 10 cases of invasive cervical carcinoma, 9 of carcinoma in situ with microinvasion, 118 of cervical carcinoma in situ, 110 of severe dysplasia, and 424 cases of mild to moderate cervical dysplasia. All of these patients subsequently were treated accordingly. Evaluation of final histologic specimen revealed a very high correlation with colposcopically guided biopsies. In 54 patients, where colposcopic evaluation was unsatisfactory, diagnostic cold knife conization was performed. Final histologic diagnosis disclosed a more advanced lesion in 30 patients (or 56%) of this group. The result of this study shows that satisfactory colposcopic evaluation is a highly accurate method of evaluation of abnormal cervical and vaginal cytologic smear.

Adolescent↗

Colposcopy quality control by remote review of digitized colposcopic images.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to estimate the accuracy of colposcopy quality control review of subjects' digitized colposcopic images during the atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance/low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion triage study (ALTS). STUDY DESIGN: After colposcopic examination and the acquisition of 2 digitized cervical images, colposcopists recorded colposcopic diagnoses in a standardized computer database. The images were transferred by modem to colposcopy quality control reviewers for a blinded interpretation, including assessment of image quality. Reviewers' and colposcopists' diagnoses were compared with histologic diagnoses using standard contingency table methods. RESULTS: Colposcopists and reviewers underdiagnosed 16.1% and 25.3% of subjects, and overdiagnosed 44.7% and 19.8% of subjects compared with histology, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or greater were 35.4% versus 23.2%, P < .0001, and 89.9% versus 95.0%, P < .0001, respectively, for colposcopists and reviewers. CONCLUSION: Colposcopy quality control by review of digitized colposcopic images in clinical trials warrants further evaluation if the accuracy can be improved.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Observer agreement on interpreting colposcopic images of CIN.

The purpose of this work was to study intraobserver and interobserver variation in the interpretation of colposcopic images of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Twenty-three experienced colposcopists were asked to assess colposcopic images presented on slides and to select the biopsy site. Eleven cases were independently interpreted twice with an interval of 2-3 months by all observers. No information about the cytological classification was available. In each case the "majority assessment" was considered as the standard, being "no CIN" in 2 cases, CIN I in 4 cases, CIN II in 3 cases, and CIN III in 2 cases. Intraobserver concordance was 66.7%, the kappa value was 0.54. Interobserver agreement was found to be 52.4 and 51.0% in the first and second sessions, respectively, while the mean kappa values were 0.41 and 0.33, respectively. In selecting the site for biopsy, 77.4% of all observers agreed while the same site was selected in 85.3% of cases by the individual colposcopist in the two sessions. Overall, CIN I and II interpretations revealed lower levels of agreement than no CIN or CIN III interpretations. It is concluded that observer variability in interpreting colposcopic images and selecting the site for biopsy is in the same range as observer variation in other subjective diagnostic tests such as cytology and histopathology. This variation should be taken into account in the colposcopical management of patients with abnormal cytology.

Biopsy↗

Child sexual abuse--genital tract findings in prepubertal girls. II. Comparison of colposcopic and unaided examinations.

In recent years the inspection of the vulva of sexually abused girls by magnification with a colposcope has become increasingly popular. However, data concerning the usefulness of colposcopy in such evaluations are lacking. In a prospective study, 130 prepubertal girls (mean age 5.5 years) who were identified by child protective agencies to be victims of sexual abuse were evaluated both by an unaided examination and by colposcopy. If the colposcopic findings differed from those of the unaided inspection, the macroscopic examination was repeated to determine whether the abnormality could have been detected without magnification. Altogether, 92 of the 130 girls were found to have abnormal findings. In the majority of girls with abnormalities (96%), the abnormalities were observed during the unaided examination. Of the four patients in whom the findings were detected initially by the colposcopic examination, these findings were observed during the repeat unaided examination. The findings were observed by colposcopic examination alone in only one patient. We conclude that unaided examination is adequate for the evaluation of most victims of sexual abuse.

Child↗