DISTRIBUTION OF CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA - ARE HYSTERECTOMYSPECIMENS SAMPLED APPROPRIATELY

Aim-To determine whether sampling the anterior and posterior cervical lips in hysterectomy specimens provides the best opportunity for detec ting unsuspected cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Methods-The frequency with which CLN was identified at a range of positions on th e anterior and posterior lips and left and right lateral aspects of th e cenix was assessed in 100 cone biopsy specimens. Results-CIN affecte d one or other cervical lip in all 100 cases studied and involved the midline positions (12 and 6 o'clock) in 94. The lateral edges of the c ervical canal were also involved in 38 cases. Conclusion-CIN is more l ikely to be identified on the anterior and posterior Lips than on the lateral aspect of the cervical os. The findings support the continuati on of the established practice of taking blocks from the midline in th ese areas.