Células Escamosas Atípicas de Significado Indeterminado: un citodiagnóstico subjetivo / Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance: A subjective cytodiagnosis

El objetivo del presente trabajo es intentar la disminución de la subjetividad que acompaña al citodiagnóstico de células escamosas atípicas de significado incierto (ASCUS) por medio de un parámetro que pueda ser medido y sea útil como valor pronóstico. A 20 extendidos provenientes de cuello uterino coloreados con la técnica de Papanicolaou con diagnóstico de ASCUS (11 metaplasias atípicas, 6 casos de HPV con atipías y 3 casos de anomalías marcadas por hipoestrogenismo) se les aplicó la técnica de AgNOR (regiones del organizador nucleolar afines a Ag) y el área de AgNOR fue medida por citometría de imágenes. Los resultados fueron: 6,0 µ², s=1,60 µ² para metaplasia atípica, 0,90 µ², s=1,05 µ²para HPV con atipías y no detectable para extendidos hipoestrogénicos. Las diferencias entre áreas promedio fueron evaluadas con el test de Student. Se propone 4,4 µ² como valor de corte del área de AgNOR como índice de progresión de las metaplasias atípicas. Los casos de HPV con atipías son insuficientes para definir algún valor de área, y en las pacientes con anomalías marcadas por hipoestrogenismo se recomienda la repetición del extendido post-estímulo estrogénico.

The objective of this paper is to diminish the subjectivity of ASCUS (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance) diagnosis by means of a parameter useful in the prognosis of the pathology. AgNOR technique was applied to 20 cytologic smears from uterine cervix stained by Papanicolaou method and with ASCUS diagnosis: 11 atypical metaplasias, 6 with atypical keratinizing cells related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and 3 with regressive changes by estrogen deficiency. The AgNOR area was determined by image cytometry. The mean AgNOR areas were: 6.0 µ², s=1.60 µ² for atypical metaplastic cells, and 0.90 µ², s=1.05 µ² for smears with HPV with atypical keratinizing cells. AgNOR areas were not measurable in the cases of estrogen deficiency. Differences in the mean AgNOR protein areas were tested by Student's test. The cut-off value proposed for smears with atypical metaplastic cells is 4.4 µ² as a limit of progressive lesions. It was not possible to establish a value for cases with atypical keratinizing cells related to HPV because of the low number of smears. In estrogen deficiency, it is advisable to perform the estrogenic stimulus before taking any decision.

The quantitative analysis of cytomorphology in atypical metaplastic bronchial epithelium / 中国实用内科杂志

Objective To study the quantitative cytomorphologic parameters in early diagnosis and follow-up of lung cancer.Method With HE staining and image analysis,quantitative analysis of cytomorphology was made on paraffin sections of 86 specimens of bronchial mucosa,sampled by bronchoscopic biopsy,which would reflect a series of events from squamous metaplastic bronchial epithelium to invasive bronchogenic carcinoma.Result 8 nuclear parameters (area,deviation of area,perimeter,deviation of perimeter,shape factor,deviation of shape factor,volume density nucleus,nucleus/plasma ratio)and 2 cellular nodes(perimeter,deviation of perimeter)increased or decreased parallelly with advancing nuclear atypia.Conclusion The two stages of the moderate and severe atypical metaplasia of bronchial epithelium are the critical ones changing from benign to malignant.The quantitative analysis of cytomorphology is useful for discovering and following up the precancerous lesions of bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma.