The Interpretation of Inflammatory Reactions in the Vagina, Cervix, and Endocervix by Means of Cytologic Smears

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The potentialities of the cytologic examination of smears are discussed with reference to (1) the localization of inflammatory reactions in the vagina, the cervix, and the endocervix, and (2) the classification of these inflammatory conditions into mild, marked, acute, and chronic reactions. The technic of preparation and the interpretation of such smears is described. 1. If smears from (1) the vaginal wall, (2) the external os of the cervix uteri, and (3) the endocervix are prepared separately on one slide for every gynecologic and obstetric patient, it is possible, by means of cytologic studies, to categorize the reaction as diffuse, or localized to any one of the 3 sites, i.e., the vagina, the cervix, or the endocervix. 2. In addition to determining the localization of the chief inflammatory reaction, the cytologic interpretation may provide information pertaining to (1) the degree of the infection[long dash]slight or advanced inflammatory reaction[long dash]and (2) whether or not the inflammatory reaction is seemingly acute or chronic. 3. The differentiation results from the comparative evaluation of the leukocytes, present in the 3 smears, their stage of preservation, the presence or absence of histiocytes, and, finally, the presence or absence of inflammatory changes in epithelial cells.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: