Which Colposcopies Should Include Endocervical Curettage?

Objectives: Although endocervical curettage (ECC) is often performed at colposcopy, it remains unclear whether it should be done in all women, only women over a certain age, only women with unsatisfactory colposcopy, or only in women with normal colposcopic impressions. To clarify the indications for ECC, we determined the proportion of colposcopies with CIN 3, or cancer (CIN 3+) detected only by ECC showing CIN 2, CIN 3, or cancer (CIN 2+).

Methods: Review of electronic medical records from colposcopy clinics.

Results: Between March 1, 1996, and April 23, 2013, approximately 18,537 cervical colposcopies with no missing results evaluated women with abnormal cervical cytology and/or positive high-risk human papillomavirus tests. In 7.5% (1,398/18,537) of colposcopies, the final diagnosis, based on the worst biopsy from cervix; ECC; or subsequent loop electrocautery excision procedure, cervical conization, or hysterectomy, was CIN 3+. The proportion of colposcopies with CIN 3+ detected only by ECC showing CIN 2+ was 0.5% (101/18,537). Limiting the ECC to women with unsatisfactory colposcopy, colposcopic impressions suggestive of CIN 2+, or impressions of normal resulted in fewer ECC performed but also greatly decreased the proportion of CIN 3+ that could have been detected only by ECC showing CIN 2+. Limiting the ECC to colposcopies in women age 25 years and older resulted in 29.3% (5,433/18,537) fewer ECCs while detecting 96.0% (97/101) of the CIN 3+ that could have been detected only by ECC showing CIN 2 + .

Conclusions: Endocervical curettage should be performed at colposcopy in women age 25 and older.