Microglandular hyperplasia of the uterine cervix - Cytologic diagnosis in cervical smears

OBJECTIVE: To identify cytomorphologic features specific to microglandular hyperplasia (MGH) in cervical cytologic smears. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-four cervical smears front 24 patients obtained before the histologic diagnosis of MGH made on colposcopically directed biopsies during a period of two years (1995-1997) were evaluated. RESULTS: Of cases with MGH, 13/24 (54%) showed the presence of bidimensiona l or tridimensional cellular clusters made up of cubic or cylindrical gland ular cells with vacuolated cytoplasm; cells with dense cytoplasm, basaloid in appearance, corresponding to immature squamous metaplasia; and subcylind rical reserve cells with small, round nuclei and scant cytoplasm. Clusters showed microlumina or fenestrated spaces, preserved polarity and absence of nuclear peripheral dispersion. In the control group these cellular cluster s were found in 6/100 (6%). Statistical analysis (chi(2)) showed a strong, highly significant association (P < .001) of the cytologic parameters selec ted and the histologic diagnosis of MGH. CONCLUSION: Until now, ilo specific cytologic parameters were described for MGH. This study underscored the value of cytomorphologic parameters descri bed for typical cellular clusters showing microlumina or fenestrated spaces with shared party walls and an admixture of glandular cells, and immature squamous metaplastic and subcylindrical reserve cells in the cytologic diag nosis of MGH.