@article{Ghazala Mudassir, Mariam Abid, Hania Naveed_2018, title={Spectrum of Abnormal Cervical Cytology in Papanicolaou (PAP) Smears}, volume={22}, url={http://journalrmc.com/index.php/JRMC/article/view/854}, abstractNote={<p>Background: To determine the frequency of<br>abnormal cytological findings in pap smears of<br>women in a local population in Pakistan.<br>Methods: In this observational study conventional<br>PAP smear was collected, from squamocolumnar<br>junction, using an Ayer’s spatula in clockwise<br>direction for 3600 after exposing the cervix by a<br>Cusco speculum. The endocervical smears were<br>made by rotating the endocervical brush. The<br>samples collected were transferred to glass slide and<br>then slides were fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol. The<br>slides were then sent to pathology laboratory for<br>histopathological examination . The adequacy and<br>reporting of pap smears was based on 2001 Bethesda<br>system.<br>Results: Majority of the patients in the<br>reproductive age group (18- 38 years). Most of the<br>patients (49.6%) had no cervical complaint and they<br>underwent the procedure for screening. In<br>symptomatic patients common presenting<br>complaints were cervicitis (17.1%) and vaginal<br>discharge (11.3%).Out of the total 1984 pap smears,<br>99.1% were negative for intraepithelial lesion or<br>malignancy. The precursor neoplastic lesions were<br>observed in 0.8%, which included Atypical<br>Squamous Cells of Uncertain Significance (ASCUS)<br>(0.6%), Atypical Glandular Cells of Uncertain<br>Significance (AGUS) (0.2%) and High Grade<br>Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL)(0.1%).<br>ASCUS was seen mostly in young age group that is<br>18- 38 years while HSIL and AGC were identified in<br>patients more than 50 years of age. Non-specific<br>inflammatory pattern was seen in 17.6%. Atrophic<br>pattern was observed in 2.5% smears.<br>Conclusion- A significant number of abnormal<br>pap smears were negative for intraepithelial lesion<br>or malignancy.Epithelial cell abnormalities, though<br>less prevalent were also seen.</p>}, number={1}, journal={Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College}, author={Ghazala Mudassir, Mariam Abid, Hania Naveed}, year={2018}, month={Mar.} }