Distinguishing tubal metaplasia from endocervical dysplasia on cervical Papanicolaou smears.

Abstract

Tubal metaplasia is a benign endocervical lesion. There may be confusion, however, in distinguishing tubal metaplasia from endocervical gland dysplasia on Papanicolaou smear. We present a case in which a cervical smear diagnosis initially reported as endocervical atypia was corrected to a diagnosis of tubal metaplasia upon cytologic review, thus altering patient management. The presence of terminal bars and cilia are the most helpful features in the cytologic recognition of tubal metaplasia. The evaluation of endocervical gland dysplasia suggested by Papanicolaou smear may include diagnostic conization; therefore, to prevent unnecessary intervention, it is important to distinguish endocervical gland dysplasia from tubal metaplasia.