The significance of endocervical cells and metaplastic squamous cells in liquid-based cervical cytology.

We conducted a retrospective study to investigate whether the presence or absence of endocervical cells (EC) and metaplastic squamous cells (MSC) was associated with the detection of squamous intraepithelial lesions in liquid-based cervical cytology. 90,376 cases of liquid-based cervical cytology smears received in 2006 were included in the study. Low-grade (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) were classified according to the Bethesda system (2001).

Human papillomavirus DNA and liquid-based cervical cytology cotesting in screening and follow-up patient groups.

Objective: To compare the use of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA and cervical cytology cotesting in screening and follow-up of patients with previous cervical abnormalities and to assess the significance of a positive HPV DNA test result in re-screening of cytologically normal cases.

Study Design: Cellular samples collected in liquid-based fixative were used for both cervical cytology and HPV DNA testing. The cervical cytology slides were manually screened by cytotechnologists followed by rapid re-screening by pathologists.