Primary Article

Reliability of Histopathologic Diagnosis of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Authors: JOSEPH H. BELLINA MD, WILLIAM P. DUNLAP PhD, MARY ANN RIOPELLE BA

Abstract

ABSTRACTA study was designed to measure the inter-pathologist consistency of histopathologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among four pathologists. Intra-pathologist reliability over time was also determined. Between-pathologist comparisons resulted in agreement only 50% of the time; however, 81% of pairs were within one CIN grade of each other. Seventy-one percent of first and second diagnoses of the same pathologist were identical and 93% of pairs were within one CIN grade. In seven cases, however, pairs of evaluations of the same slide were remarkably disparate, two considered normal and CIN III by the same pathologist at different times. The findings of this study, using the CIN grading system, are consistent with other studies using different classification schemes. Inconsistency of diagnoses and discrepancies between pathologists must be considered when conservative therapy is elected for a patient with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References