DR. KAVITHA S,DR. VOLGA H,DR. M. ABHINAYA
DOI: https://doi.org/Introduction: We aimed at surveying the range of cervical smear cytological patterns and their correlation with the patient’s clinical vignettes undergoing Papanicolaou (Pap) smear analysis at our medical center.
Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was exercised wherein Pap smear cases, along with clinical findings from requisition forms and cytopathology observations, were collected from the pathology department over six months and documented in a predetermined pro forma.
Results: 1,344 cases were investigated. Most cases were aged 41–50 years (31.1%) and multiparous (68.5%). White discharge was the prevailing clinical presentation (31.2%), followed by abdominal pain (23.1%) and irregular cycles (14.7%), while asymptomatic cases accounted for 14.6%. Unsatisfactory samples were found in 22 cases (1.6%), with sparse cellular squamous components being the most common cause (17 cases, 77.3%). Malignancy was ruled out in 96% of cases, while 19.7% showed infection or inflammation. Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), high‑grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), Atypical Squamous Cells, HSIL cannot be excluded (ASC-H) and low‑grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) were detected in 1.3%, 0.8%, 0.2% and 0.07%, respectively.
Conclusion: The Papanicolaou smear, a vital instrument for carcinoma cervix screening, enabling early detection of inflammatory, infectious, benign, and malignant pathologies, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. Careful interpretation is essential, particularly in patients of postmenopausal bleeding, cervical discharge, and inflammatory smears, to clinch epithelial cell abnormalities meticulously and doesn't go unnoticed.
