Rare cases observed in the routine cytologic examination of the cervix and vagina

Abstract

A case of Enterobius vermicularis, six cases of follicular cervicitis and two cases of Curschmann's type spirals observed in the cervicovaginal smears are presented.(A) A case of Enterobius vermicularis infestation of the cervix occurring in a 21-year-old pregnant woman was detected in a routine cytologic examina tion of the cervix. Approximately 80 ova were cou nted in the slide. The ova were elongate-oval sha ped with one flattened side, measuring 54-57×25-27 microns. The shell was composed of two layers, orangeophilic and refractile. Most of the eggs con tained gray-orange staining larvae.While Enterobius vermicularis and perineal invol vement is rather cammon in pediatrics, this worm is relatively rare in an adult woman and a few cases found in routine cytologic studies of cervical and vaginal smears have been reported.(B) Six cases of follicular cervicitis observed in a routine cytologic examination of the cervix were presented. Our patients ranged in age from 54 to 64. None of these patients had any evidence of leukemia or malignant lymphoma. The cytologic features were characteristic of the presence of a mixture of lymphocytes and their precursors. These cells included mature and immature lymphocytes and reticulum cells. The reticulum cells showed mitotic figures and phagocytosis.Follicular cervicitis is a benign inflammatory condition occurring in a postmenopausal woman. This condition may be diagnosed in Papanicoloau smears of the cervix wth a fair degree of assurance, but may occasionally be confused with leukemia, lymphoma or small cell carcinoma.(C) Two cases of Curschmann's type spirals were found in a routine cytologic examination of the cervix. Both patients were on contraceptive medication. Examination of the cervical smears revealed moderate inflammatory exudate. Most pro minent feature was the presence of Curschmann's type spirals which was identical to those observed in the sputum of patients with asthma or other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Toour knowledge no cases of Curschmann's type spirals of the cervix have been reported.