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Sep 19, 2006Article Details
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The qualities of colposcopy as a screening tool
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the qualities of colposcopy as a screening /diagnostic tool.
Methodology: We reviewed and compared the colposcopic and histological findings of 574 cervixes we examined during a multicentre based study.
Results: Out of the 574 colposcopic evaluations, 290 cervices were normal, 249 were low grade, 33 were high grade and 2 were cancers. On histology, 179 biopsies were positive and 395 were negative. Colposcopy in this study has a sensitivity of 83.2%, specificity of 65.8%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 58.5% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.7%.
Conclusion: By over highlighting, colposcopy may result in too many negative biopsies, but a colposcopically negative cervix is very unlikely to be histologically positive.
Mother and Child Health Clinics Vol. 1(3) 2004: 176-178
Methodology: We reviewed and compared the colposcopic and histological findings of 574 cervixes we examined during a multicentre based study.
Results: Out of the 574 colposcopic evaluations, 290 cervices were normal, 249 were low grade, 33 were high grade and 2 were cancers. On histology, 179 biopsies were positive and 395 were negative. Colposcopy in this study has a sensitivity of 83.2%, specificity of 65.8%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 58.5% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.7%.
Conclusion: By over highlighting, colposcopy may result in too many negative biopsies, but a colposcopically negative cervix is very unlikely to be histologically positive.
Mother and Child Health Clinics Vol. 1(3) 2004: 176-178
