Gynecologic Pap Smear, One Slide, Two Slides, and Maturation Index

Also known as: Pap Smear and Maturation Index

Clinical Use

Use

Diagnose primary or metastatic neoplasma; diagnose genital infections with herpesvirus, Candida, Trichomonas vaginalis, cytomegalovirus, and Actinomyces; aid in the diagnosis of vaginal adenosis, cervicovaginal endometriosis, human papillomavirus (HPV), lymphogranuloma venereum; aid in evaluating hormonal function (maturation index); evaluate cellular composition of the surface layers of vaginal squamous epithelium, which reflects balance of estrogen and progesterone effects upon this target tissue; diagnose conditions producing abnormal cytohormonal balance (ie, pituitary dysfunction, ovarian dysfunction, feminizing tumor, and virilizing tumor)

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

Failure to obtain adequate ectocervical, endocervical, or vaginal cell population renders the specimen suboptimal for evaluation. Excessive use of lubricating jelly on the vaginal speculum will interfere with cytologic examination and may lead to unsatisfactory Pap results. All powder should be wiped off gloves before spatulas are handled since presence of starch granules will make interpretation of slides difficult. Inflammatory reaction may preclude hormonal evaluation. A very significant proportion of adenocarcinomas of endometrium are not detected by this means. Occasionally, highly differentiated adenocarcinomas of endocervix can be missed. Occasional aggressive lesions of squamous epithelium of cervix can be missed, especially if patient has only a single examination.

Test Details

Methodology

Pap stained: microscopic examination

Biomarkers

Targets not provided.

Result Turnaround Time

2-5 days

Specimen

Unknown

Volume

Not provided

Minimum Volume

Not provided

Patient Preparation

Patient should avoid douches 48 to 72 hours prior to examination. Specimen should not be collected during or shortly after menstrual period. Excessive use of lubricating jelly will interfere with cytologic examination.