Papanicolaou smears showing XXXX of undetermined significance: a case series.

@entity1 @entity1358 @entity189
BACKGROUND: The authors' objective was to determine retrospectively the methods used to follow up @entity1358 of undetermined significance (AGUS) on Papanicolaou smears and to evaluate the effectiveness of those methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The charts of all @entity1 with AGUS smears obtained between February 1993 and April 1996 were reviewed retrospectively, and information was extracted. A computer database was used to identify the @entity1 and review the method of evaluation. The findings from histological sampling also are reported and analyzed. All findings are reported descriptively. RESULTS: Seventy-nine AGUS smears were evaluated. Of these, it was found that six @entity1 had no follow-up. Of the 62 with histological followup, most (74%) underwent colposcopy, endometrial biopsy (63%), or endocervical curettage (50%). Cervical or vaginal biopsy, cervical conization, hysteroscopy, and hysterectomy also were performed. Twenty-seven @entity1 underwent more than one procedure for tissue sampling. Of the 62 @entity1 from whom histological samples were taken, 18 (29%) were found to have clinically significant lesions, 11 of which were @entity189 . CONCLUSIONS: In our clinic, AGUS smears are a result of a significant number of high-grade neoplastic findings. Histological evaluation is necessary in most cases for accurate diagnosis because of the multiple, varied potential etiologies of AGUS smears.
