Should liquid-based cytology be performed prior to colposcopy? A comparison of the accuracy, unsatisfactory rates and cost in a tertiary referral setting

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of liquid-based cytology (LBC) with conventional cytology (CC) in the assessment cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) prior to colposcopy. DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort Study. METHODS: Liquid-based cytology and CC findings were compared with colposcopic assessment and directed cervical biopsy in terms of sensitivity and specificity for high grade lesions only and for any abnormalities. The degree of correlation was sought. Secondary outcomes were unsatisfactory rate and cost. RESULTS: A total of 1961 women had colposcopy of whom 528 had cervical biopsy. LBC and CC have similar sensitivity and specificity for both high-grade lesions and any abnormalities. In c..