Colposcopy-directed Punch Biopsy Research Articles

Efficacy of Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure in the Management of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) –in A Tertiary Level Hospital

Background: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is the potentially premalignant transformation and abnormal growth of surface epithelial cells of the cervix. CIN is a precancerous condition and curable. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is a simple, outpatient procedure of removing the transformation zone of cervix. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of large loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) as a treatment procedure for cervical intraepiethelial neoplasia. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Colposcopy clinic of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from June, 2017 to May, 2019. All consecutive patients having colposcopicaly and histopathologicaly proven high grade lesion by colposcopy directed punch biopsy were included in this study. All eligible patients with high grade lesion were underwent LEEP and followed up on 15 days post-procedure, 6 months, 12 months with colposcopy. Results: Sixty (60) cases were undergone LEEP, among them 48 (80%) cases were diagnosed as CIN2 and 12 (20%) cases were CIN3 by colposcopy- directed biopsy. One patient (1.7%) needed hospital admission to controll intra-operative bleeding and in postoperative period 7 (11.7%) patients had mild to moderate post-operative bleeding which was controlled well after application of morsel’s pastes and electro-cautery, one patient (1.7%) had pelvic infection. On 6 months follow-up, in case of CIN2 patients, cure rate was 93.5% (43 of 46) and 1 (2.2%) patient had persistent CIN-2. Patient with persistent CIN2 had re-excision and followed up at 12 month with colposcopy. Among case of CIN-3, the cure rate was 81.8% (9 of 11) and 1 (9.1%) case had CIN2. P-value was 0.244, which was not statistically significant. Overall cure rate on 6 month follow-up was 91.2%. On 12 months follow-up cure rate for CIN2 was 97.8% and for CIN3 was 90.9%. Overall cure rate was 96.5%. P-value was 0.352, which was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) has a good outcome as a diagnostic and treatment procedure for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2023; 49(2): 113-119

The prevalence of abnormal pap smear in women with pelvic inflammatory disease and determine the risk factors of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia 2/3

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of abnormal Pap (ASCUS or worse) and HPV infection in women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and assess the risk factors for CIN2/3. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 249 women who were admitted to the hospital for the treatment of PID between 2013 and 2019 was performed. Patients’ characteristics including age, parity, sexually transmitted disease (STD) infection, Pap results, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, Nugent score, C-reactive protein (CRP), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were retrieved. Clinical characteristics were compared between group 1 (women with normal pap; N = 159) and group 2 (women with abnormal Pap; N = 90). Results: Of 249 women, abnormal Pap rate was 36.1% and HPV positivity was 41.0%. Of those with HPV infection, 78.4% had high-risk HPV subtypes. Group 2 was significantly associated with high-risk HPV infection (P < 0.0001) and low NLR (P = 0.047). 74 women underwent colposcopy-directed punch biopsy, and 14 showed CIN2/3. Multivariate analysis showed that high-risk HPV infection (P = 0.040; 95% CI 1.081-32.389) and low Nugent score (≤ 3) (P = 0.003; 95% CI 2.130-39.807) were independent risk factors of CIN2/3 in women with abnormal Pap and PID. Conclusions: Women with PID showed high prevalence of abnormal Pap. Nonetheless, high-risk HPV infection and low Nugent score are the most reliable factors in determining colposcopy for the diagnosis of CIN2/3.

Concordance rate of vulvoscopic findings in detecting early vulvar neoplasia

PurposeColposcopy-guided punch biopsy is a cornerstone method for diagnosing vulvar diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance rate of clinical findings in vulvar diseases during examinations, in comparison with colposcopy-directed punch biopsy. We also developed a new classification to simplify the categorization of vulvoscopic findings. MethodsThe concordance rate of the clinical findings was compared with the final histology results from punch biopsies. The data were collected between January 2014 and May 2017 at the Erlangen University Hospital. ResultsA total of 482 colposcopy-directed punch biopsies of the vulva were obtained in 420 women. The overall concordance rate of the clinical findings in comparison with the histological vulvar punch-biopsy findings was 53.9% for all entities — benign lesions, lichen, low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL/HSILs), and vulvar carcinoma. The concordance rate for detecting LSILs was 64.3% (45/70). The concordance rate for detecting HSILs was 62.3% and for Vulvar carcinoma 65.2%. ConclusionsPunch biopsy of suspicious lesions continues to be a cornerstone in diagnosing HSILs and carcinoma of the vulva. Careful work-up of the vulva is recommended when patients have symptoms such as pruritus or pain. The new classification is more specific for diagnosing lesions in the vulva.

Risk Factor Analysis of Persistent High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion After Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure Conization.

The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) 6 months after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). We explored the risk factors of persistent cervical HSIL after LEEP and evaluated the methods of follow-up. This retrospective study included women who underwent a LEEP and had a diagnosis of HSIL in their LEEP specimen during 2011 to 2015. The purpose was to determine the risk factors among these women for having persistent HSIL disease at their 6-month follow-up visit. At their follow-up visit, each woman underwent cervical cytology and high-risk human papilloma virus (hrHPV) testing, colposcopy-directed punch biopsy, and/or endocervical curettage. A total of 3582 women were enrolled. There were 9 cases invasive cervical cancer found and 101 women had persistent HSIL. The persistence rate was higher in women 50 years or older. The circumference, length, and width of LEEP specimens did not differ statistically between the persistent and nonpersistent group. The persistence rate among women with positive LEEP specimen margins was higher than among women with negative margins. Positive endocervical margins were associated with a higher rate of persistence than positive ectocervical margins. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that age, positive margins, abnormal cytology, and positive hrHPV during follow-up were all independent risk factors for persistent HSIL lesions. Being 50 years or older, positive margins, particularly endocervical margins, and having abnormal cytology and positive hrHPV testing during follow-up were risk factors for persistent HSIL lesions after LEEP conization. Colposcopy plays an indispensable role in the diagnosis of persistent HSIL and progression.

Factors affecting pain during outpatient clinic based surgical procedures in gynecologic oncology.

Colposcopy-directed punch biopsy (punch biopsy) and endocervical curettage (ECC) are accompanied by considerable pain. However, many physicians perform these procedures without adequate pain management. Therefore, identification of factors affecting pain experienced during the procedures may encourage physician effort in selective pain management. This study investigated factors affecting the severity of pain experienced during punch biopsy and ECC in an outpatient clinic of gynecologic oncology department.In this retrospective, exploratory study, a total of 101 Korean patients with abnormal cervical cytology underwent punch biopsy and ECC under a paracervical block performed for pain relief. Residents under training performed these procedures and recorded patient-reporting maximum Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores experienced during the procedures. Residents were classified into four outpatient clinic training groups (1st–4th); the group designators correspond to the resident's experience in performing these procedures. A linear mixed model adjusted for physician factors such as either residents or outpatient clinic training groups was used to analyze the association between each variable and maximum NRS score.Among the outpatient clinic training groups, maximum NRS scores significantly decreased in the 4th group, compared with those in the 1st group although those were not different among groups when adjusted for residents. Some of cervical cytology findings and discrepancies between the severity of cervical cytology results and those of punch biopsy or ECC showed significant associations with maximum NRS scores. However, when adjusted for either residents or outpatient clinic training groups, maximum NRS scores were not different by age, body mass index, presence of menopause, cervical cytology findings, discrepancies between the severity of cervical cytology results and those of punch biopsy or ECC, and tissue volume.There are no significant factors affecting the severity of pain experienced during punch biopsy and ECC.

Factors affecting residual/recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after cervical conization with negative margins

To identify factors for predicting residual or recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after cervical conization with negative margins. A total of 172 patients with histologically verified high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions who underwent conization with negative margins were recruited at the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from December 2006 to January 2016. Follow-up comprised clinical examination, a liquid-based cytology test, a human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA genotyping test, colposcopy assessment, and if indicated, colposcopy-directed punch biopsy. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the median recurrent time, whereas log-rank tests and Cox regression models were used to determine the predictors of residual/recurrent CIN. Fourteen residual/recurrent cases (8.1%) were identified in 172 patients. In univariate analysis, cytologic abnormalities on follow-up (P = .000), conization method (P = .017), HPV positivity at any visit (P = .000), persistent HPV infection postconization (P = .000), persistent infection with the same HPV genotype (P = .000), and HPV positivity at 18 months after conization (P = .000) were predictive factors of residual/recurrent CIN. The results of multivariate analysis further revealed that persistent HPV infection postconization (P = .035), HPV positivity at 18 months after conization (P = .017), and cytologic abnormalities on follow-up (P = .000) had an increased risk of residual/recurrent CIN. During follow-up, patients with persistent HPV infection or cytologic abnormalities were at high risk of residual/recurrent CIN and should be identified for close surveillance and monitoring. Meanwhile, patients with HPV who became negative within 18 months after treatment had a low risk of recurrence.

Role of Colposcopy in the Evaluation of Visual Inspection of Cervix with Acetic Acid-positive Cases of Unhealthy Cervix

ABSTRACT Introduction Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, and it is the principal cancer of women in most developing countries, where 80% of cases occur. This disease is preventable by screening and treatment of preinvasive condition. All sexually active women are at risk of acquiring a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that may lead to cervical cancer in the future. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease as the different screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures are effective. The screening procedures are visual inspection of cervix with acetic acid (VIA), Pap smear, colposcopy, and HPV deoxyribonucleic acid test. Among them, colposcopy is effective in screening, taking colposcopy-directed biopsy as well as treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), such as cold coagulation, cryotherapy, and loop electro-surgical excision procedure. Hence, there is an obvious need to subject the women with VIA-positive report to colposcopy and directed biopsy. This study is done to evaluate the role of colposcopy in evaluation of VIA-positive cases. Objective Colposcopic evaluation of VIA-positive cases and detection of precancerous lesion of cervix for early management. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional study done among married female patient aged 22 to 65 years, who had VIA-positive report, and attending the colposcopy clinic in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital from January 2014 to December 2016. Colposcopy-directed punch biopsy was taken from the abnormal colposcopic appearance and specimen sent for histopathological examination. Results Out of 97 cases, all had VIA-positive acetowhite areas. But colposcopy revealed that 76.29% had CIN and invasive lesions, while 23.71% had either normal or inflammatory lesions. Colposcopy-directed punch biopsy revealed that 59.79% cases had positive lesions like CIN or invasive carcinoma and 40.21% had neither CIN nor invasive lesions. Among positive lesions, about 34.02% had CIN I, 3.09% had CIN II, 0% had CIN III, and 22.68% had invasive carcinoma. In this study, sensitivity and specificity of colposcopy examination were found 94.83 and 51.28% respectively. Conclusion Cervical cancer presents as major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. In developing countries, the various screening programs are implemented for its early detection and treatment. It is evident that colposcopy plays a very important role in early diagnosis and treatment of preinvasive and early invasive carcinoma of cervix. So wide use of colposcopy in screening program of Bangladesh can reduce many young women's morbidity and mortality. How to cite this article Kasem SB, Razzaque SA, Adiba R, Anika S, Begum F. Role of Colposcopy in the Evaluation of Visual Inspection of Cervix with Acetic Acid-positive Cases of Unhealthy Cervix. J South Asian Feder Menopause Soc 2017;5(2):102-106.

Interobserver Agreement in the Reporting of Cervical Biopsy Specimens Obtained From Women Screened by Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid and Hybrid Capture 2

Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and human papillomavirus detection have sensitivity higher than cytology but lower specificity. The high false-positive rate of either test poses a challenge to the colposcopists who obtain biopsies from the innocuous changes and to the pathologists who have to interpret large numbers of specimens that are either normal or have low-grade abnormalities. Interobserver variation in histopathologic interpretations of cervical punch biopsy specimens is high, specially for the lower-grade abnormalities. Use of the modified Bethesda system to report histology in place of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) system has the potential to reduce such variability as there are fewer categories. The present study aimed to assess the interobserver agreement to interpret cervical punch biopsies when both pathologists followed the modified Bethesda classification system and also when one pathologist followed the modified Bethesda classification system and the other followed the CIN classification system. Colposcopy-directed punch biopsies were obtained from VIA and/or Hybrid Capture 2-positive women. The Institute pathologist interpreted the slides using the CIN system. Blinded review was done by 2 external pathologists who independently interpreted cervical punch biopsies using the Bethesda system. The Institute pathologist's diagnoses based on CIN system were converted post hoc into categories belonging to the Bethesda system for comparison. The overall agreement was poor (κ=0.36). The lowest agreement was observed in the low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion category (κ=0.23) and the highest in the squamous cell carcinoma category (κ=0.76). The agreement between the reviewers, both of whom used the Bethesda system, was substantial.

Accuracy of colposcopy‐directed punch biopsies

Accuracy of colposcopy‐directed punch biopsies

Is the Colposcopically Directed Punch Biopsy a Reliable Diagnostic Test in Women With Minor Cytological Lesions?

The study aimed to determine the accuracy of the colposcopy-directed punch biopsy (punch) to detect or exclude high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2 or 3) in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cytological result and minor colposcopic findings. In a diagnostic test accuracy study, women with ASCUS or LSIL cytological result and minor colposcopic changes had a single colposcopy-targeted punch biopsy was performed immediately followed by a loop electrocautery excision procedure (LEEP) biopsy. The trial was powered to detect a level of κ for a dichotomous outcome of 0.4 (i.e., fair-to-moderate agreement), with a two-sided significance level of 5% and a power of 90%. Accuracy parameters were computed using a cutoff for positive punch biopsy result of CIN 1+ and CIN 2+ for an outcome of CIN 2+ and CIN 3+ assessed in the LEEP specimen. Sixty-eight punch biopsy/LEEP-paired samples were analyzed. Of the 8 CIN 3 lesions, 6 and 4 were detected at cutoff CIN 1+ and CIN 2+, respectively (sensitivity, 50% and 75%). The corresponding specificities were 65% (39/60) and 97% (58/60). The punch biopsies identified only 14 (67%) or 6 (20%) of the 21 CIN 2+ lesions at cutoff CIN 1+ or CIN 2+, respectively. Of the punch biopsies, 31 (45.6%) accurately detected the severity of cervical abnormality. A single colposcopically directed punch biopsy appears to be insufficient to exclude underlying CIN 2 or 3.

Accuracy of colposcopy‐directed punch biopsies: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

The colposcopy-directed punch biopsy is widely used in the management of women with abnormal cervical cytology; however, its accuracy compared with definitive histology from an excision biopsy is not well established. To assess the accuracy of the colposcopy-directed punch biopsy to diagnose high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library was performed. Articles that compared the colposcopically directed cervical punch biopsy with definitive histology from an excisional cervical biopsy or hysterectomy. Random effects and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic regression models were used to compute the pooled sensitivity and specificity applying different test cut-offs for outcomes of high-grade CIN. Thirty-two papers comprising 7873 paired punch/definitive histology results were identified. The pooled sensitivity for a punch biopsy defined as test cut-off CIN1+ to diagnose CIN2+ disease was 91.3% (95% CI 85.3-94.9%) and the specificity was 24.6% (95% CI 16.0-35.9%). In most of the studies, the majority of enrolled women had positive punch biopsies. Pooling of the four studies where the excision biopsy was performed immediately after the punch biopsy, and where the rate of positive punch biopsies was considerably lower, yielded a sensitivity of 81.4% and specificity of 63.3%. The observed high sensitivity of the punch biopsy derived from all studies is probably the result of verification bias.

Vesicovaginal fistula following large‐loop excision of the transformation zone in a chronic systemic glucocorticoid user

A 42-year-old woman with a history of a large-loop excision of transformation zone for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III four years previously visited our outpatient department for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I that newly detected by colposcopy-directed punch biopsy. Her other medical conditions include systemic lupus erythematosus on daily prednisolone 15 mg during 19 years. After second large-loop excision of transformation zone, delayed vesicovaginal fistula was confirmed by indigo carmine leakage test, computed tomography scan, and cystoscopy. Fistula was primarily repaired with indwelling double-J catheters with anchoring omentum on suture site.

Endocervical curettage : Does it Contribute to the Management of Patients with Abnormal Cervical Cytology?

Objective : This retrospective study is aimed to investigate whether, when endocervical curettage (ECC) is added to colposcopy-directed punch biopsy (CdpBx) to the patients who have abnormal cervical cytology, the diagnostic value is differed or not. Methods : The records of 140 women with abnormal cervical cytology who were examined by CdpBx with ECC at Seoul National University Hospital from June 1997 to March 2003 were reviewed. The number of the patients whose results of ECC were different from those of CdpBx was counted. Results : ECC combined with CdpBx failed to show any superiority compared to CdpBx alone in the positive predictive value of cervical cancer (83% vs. 77%; p=0.8). When performed with CdpBx, ECC didn't contribute to the management of patients with abnormal cervical cytology because it provided the information, which have shifted up treatment plan (i.e., from follow-up with smears to any immediate intervention or from local ablation therapy to radical therapy) in only 9 (6%) of 140 cases. In two cases of which treatment plan have shifted up because of ECC information, cervical cytology results were AGUS of which proportion is 1% of total cases. Conclusion : When combined with CdpBx, ECC does not help to increase diagnostic value. The use of ECC would be helpful to the case in which the cervical cytology result is AGUS.

Clinical Significance and Management of ASCUS and LSIL

Objective : To evaluate the clinical significance and management of patients with Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS) and Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (LSIL). Methods : Pathologic reports of 5752 patients who have underwent cervical Pap smear screening were reviewed at Dong-A university hospital from November 2000 to February 2002. Cytologic diagnosis was classified by the TBS. Of these patients, 63 women with ASCUS and LSIL were followed by repeat Pap smear, colposcopy-directed punch biopsy, cone biopsy and hysterectomy. Results : The rate of abnormal cytology was 4.2%, with 1.1% of ASCUS, 0.1% of AGUS, 1.1% of LSIL, 1.1% of HSIL, and 0.8% of SCC. The ratio of ASCUS/SIL was 1.97. Of the 35 patients who had a cervical cytologic diagnosis of ASCUS, 9 patients (25.8%) were above dysplasia, 25 (71.4%) were normal or benign changes, and 1 (2.8%) was ASCUS. The 62 cases had diagnosed LSIL by TBS. Of these patients, 28 cases were follow up with repeat smear and/or cervical biopsy. They showed WNL or BCC in 15 cases (53.5%), chronic cervicitis in 3 (10.7%), ASCUS in 1 (3.6%), CIN I in 1 (3.6%), koilocytic atypia in 1 (3.6%), condyloma in 1 (3.6%), and LSIL in 6 (21.4%). Conclusion : Most of ASCUS or LSIL revealed negative for malignancy, usually conservative management such as repeat Pap smear is desirable. But this study showed that a cytologic diagnosis of ASCUS was associated with SIL and cancer in one fourth. So further active management such as colposcopic directed biopsy is required.

Colposcopy as a primary screening test for cervical cancer.

To evaluate the cost effectiveness of screening by colposcopy compared to conventional cytology. A prospective study was performed in the Florence District screening center on 3,000 consecutive women, self referring, who were examined by cytology and colposcopy in a blind fashion. Further assessment was based on cytologic report or on colposcopy-directed punch biopsy. Actual costs of the whole screening process were known. The cost effectiveness of different possible simulated screening scenarios was then determined. Overall, 18 high-grade lesions (CIN3 = 9, CIN2 = 9) were detected. Four different screening scenarios were compared, namely a) cytology alone, b) cytology + repeat smear for ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undeterminate significance) cases, c) colposcopy + cytology for cases of condyloma at punch biopsy, and d) colposcopy alone. Although they had a higher cost per examined woman (a) = 17.98, b) = 19.40, c) = 23.86, d) = 22.10 US$), scenarios c) and d) had a higher relative sensitivity (a = 44.4, b = 61.1, c = 100, d = 88.8%) and a lower cost per high-grade lesion detected (a = 6,743, b = 5,291, c = 3,977, d = 4,144 US$). Screening by colposcopy is a feasible procedure which is more sensitive and more cost effective than conventional cytology screening. At least in those settings where access to cytopathology may be difficult, screening by colposcopy should be considered as a possible alternative.

A prospective study of colposcopy in women with mild dyskaryosis or koilocytosis.

Colposcopy was performed in 91 women who had cervical cytology suggesting mild dyskaryosis or showing koilocytosis, all previous cytology having been normal. The final histological diagnosis was CIN III in 22%, CIN II in 18%, CIN I in 31%, koilocytosis alone in 14% and no abnormality in 15%. These results indicate that even with mild cytological atypia, a high proportion of patients will have more advanced disease when colposcopy-directed punch biopsy is performed.