Multi-center clinical study using optical coherence tomography for evaluation of cervical lesions in-vivo.

In this prospective study of an in-vivo cervical examination using optical coherence tomography (OCT), we evaluated the diagnostic value of non-invasive and real-time OCT in cervical precancerous lesions and cancer diagnosis, and determined the characteristics of OCT images. 733 patients from 5 Chinese hospitals were inspected with OCT and colposcopy-directed biopsy. The OCT images were compared with the histological sections to find out the characteristics of various categories of lesions. The OCT images were also interpreted by 3 investigators to make a 2-class classification, and the results were compared against the pathological results. Various structures of the cervical tissue were clearly observed in OCT images, which matched well with the corresponding histological sections. The OCT diagnosis results delivered a sensitivity of 87.0% (95% confidence interval, CI 82.2-90.7%), a specificity of 84.1% (95% CI 80.3-87.2%), and an overall accuracy of 85.1%. Both good consistency of OCT images and histological images and satisfactory diagnosis results were provided by OCT. Due to its features of non-invasion, real-time, and accuracy, OCT is valuable for the in-vivo evaluation of cervical lesions and has the potential to be one of the routine cervical diagnosis methods.

Evolución de las lesiones escamosas intraepiteliales de bajo grado del cérvix (2012-2013) / Evolution of Cervix Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (2012-2013)

Introducción: las lesiones intraepiteliales cervicales son precursoras del cáncer de cuello uterino, enfermedad que causó 465 muertes en Cuba en el año 2015. Objetivo: describir la evolución de las lesiones intraepiteliales de bajo grado del cérvix durante un bienio según lo dispuesto en el Programa Nacional de Diagnóstico Precoz del Cáncer Cervicouterino. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y prospectivo a 79 pacientes diagnosticadas citológicamente con una lesión escamosa intraepitelial de bajo grado en el período comprendido entre el 1ro de septiembre de 2012 y el 31 de agosto de 2013 en el Hospital Materno Ramón González Coro. Seguimiento evolutivo cada seis meses durante dos años. Resultados: 54,4 por ciento tenía entre 25 y 39 años de edad. Del total, 65,8 por ciento negativizó la citología entre los 6 y 18 meses. En los dos años de evolución, 25,3 por ciento del total progresó a una lesión de alto grado. Existió buena correlación citocolposcópica en 80 por ciento de las pacientes. El cálculo de la mediana de la zona transformación atípica en las lesiones de alto grado fue de 25 por ciento, muy superior a las de bajo grado. Hubo confirmación histológica en todos los casos cuya lesión progresó. Conclusiones: las pacientes que negativizaron la citología lo hizo durante los 18 meses de seguimiento. Existió buena relación citohistológica, no así colpohistológica. La evolución no guardó relación con las variables sociodemográficas excepto con el uso de DIU. Lesiones que ocupan más del 20 por ciento de la zona de transformación se relacionó con progresión hacia una lesión escamosa intraepitelial de alto grado(AU)

Introduction: Cervical intraepithelial lesions are signs of cervical cancer, a disease that caused 465 deaths in Cuba in 2015. Objective: To describe the evolution of low-grade intraepithelial lesions of the cervix during a biennium according to the provisions of the National Program of Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer. Methods: A descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study was carried out on 79 patients diagnosed by cytology with a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013 at Ramón González Coro Gyneco-Obstetric Hospital. These subjects received an evolutionary follow-up every six months for two years. Results: 54.4 percent were between 25 and 39 years of age; 65.8 percent had negative cytology between 6 and 18 months. In the two years of evolution, 25.3 percent of the total progressed to a high-grade lesion. There was good cytocolposcopic correlation in 80 percent of the patients. The calculation of the median of the atypical transformation zone in the high-grade lesions was 25 percent, much higher than the low-grade ones. There was histological confirmation in all cases whose lesion progressed. Conclusions: Negative cytology in our patients was assessed during the 18 months of follow-up period. There was good cytohistological relationship, but not so for colpohistological relationship. The evolution was not related to the sociodemographic variables except with the use of IUD. Lesions that occupy more than 20 percent of the transformation zone were associated with progression towards a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(AU)

Feasibility of clinical detection of cervical dysplasia using angle-resolved low coherence interferometry measurements of depth-resolved nuclear morphology.

This study sought to establish the feasibility of using in situ depth-resolved nuclear morphology measurements for detection of cervical dysplasia. Forty enrolled patients received routine cervical colposcopy with angle-resolved low coherence interferometry (a/LCI) measurements of nuclear morphology. a/LCI scans from 63 tissue sites were compared to histopathological analysis of co-registered biopsy specimens which were classified as benign, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Results were dichotomized as dysplastic (LSIL/HSIL) versus non-dysplastic and HSIL versus LSIL/benign to determine both accuracy and potential clinical utility of a/LCI nuclear morphology measurements. Analysis of a/LCI data was conducted using both traditional Mie theory based processing and a new hybrid algorithm that provides improved processing speed to ascertain the feasibility of real-time measurements. Analysis of depth-resolved nuclear morphology data revealed a/LCI was able to detect a significant increase in the nuclear diameter at the depth bin containing the basal layer of the epithelium for dysplastic versus non-dysplastic and HSIL versus LSIL/Benign biopsy sites (both p < 0.001). Both processing techniques resulted in high sensitivity and specificity (>0.80) in identifying dysplastic biopsies and HSIL. The hybrid algorithm demonstrated a threefold decrease in processing time at a slight cost in classification accuracy. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using a/LCI as an adjunctive clinical tool for detecting cervical dysplasia and guiding the identification of optimal biopsy sites. The faster speed from the hybrid algorithm offers a promising approach for real-time clinical analysis.

Fluorescence confocal endomicroscopy of the cervix: pilot study on the potential and limitations for clinical implementation.

Current diagnostic capabilities and limitations of fluorescence endomicroscopy in the cervix are assessed by qualitative and quantitative image analysis. Four cervical tissue types are investigated: normal columnar epithelium, normal and precancerous squamous epithelium, and stromal tissue. This study focuses on the perceived variability within and the subtle differences between the four tissue groups in the context of endomicroscopic in vivo pathology. Conclusions are drawn on the general ability to distinguish and diagnose tissue types, on the need for imaging depth control to enhance differentiation, and on the possible risks for diagnostic misinterpretations.