BORDERLINE NUCLEAR ABNORMALITY IN CERVICAL SMEARS - A CYTOLOGICAL REVIEW OF 200 CASES WITH HISTOLOGICAL CORRELATION

The cervical cytology and histology specimens from 200 patients referr ed to colposcopy with borderline nuclear abnormality were reviewed. Hu man papillomavirus (HPV)-associated changes were identified in 103 of 200 (53%) referral smears and in 139 of 150 (91%) biopsy specimens. Ce rvical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was less frequently diagnosed o n review compared with the original histopathology reports (30.7% vs 4 5.4%); the discrepancy was largely attributable to a lower incidence o f CINI. There was agreement in the grading of borderline nuclear abnor mality in 161 of 200 referral smears following review. Twenty-three sm ears were upgraded to mild dyskaryosis, whereas 16 were reclassified a s negative.