[Metaplasia and high grade CIN. Diagnostic difficulties]

Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2002 Nov;30(11):845-9. doi: 10.1016/s1297-9589(02)00453-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Squamous metaplasia of cervix represents the physiologic process of transformation of eversed glandular tissue at external orifice by a malpighian tissue. Primarily undifferentiated and immature, the epithelium progressively becomes differentiated and takes glycogen. In a high grade CIN the normal squamous epithelium is replaced by an undifferentiated tissue comporting basal cells with nuclear atypias. When cellular abnormalities are not marked, differential diagnosis exists with immature metaplasia. Cytology with suspicion of squamous intraepithelial lesion is sometimes followed by a diagnosis of high grade CIN on biopsy, but conisation reveals a metaplasia.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Cervix Uteri / pathology*
  • Conization
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metaplasia
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / diagnosis*
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / pathology