Validity of the colposcopic criteria inner border sign, ridge sign, and rag sign for detection of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Abstract

To evaluate the association of three pathognomonic criteria, inner border, ridge sign, and rag sign with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) using video exoscopy. Retrospective evaluation of video recordings of 335 patients, referred for diagnostic colposcopy, who underwent cervical biopsies, and, if indicated loop excisions, was performed. The most severe histologic diagnosis was recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios for high-grade CIN were calculated. In 285 patients (85%), a single colposcopy directed biopsy was taken; 50 patients (15%) underwent two biopsies. One hundred sixty-two patients (48%) underwent subsequent magnification-guided loop excision. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the inner border to detect high-grade CIN were 20%, 99%, 97.9%, and 34.8%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio (LR+) was 20.3 and the negative likelihood ratio (LR-) was 0.81. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the ridge sign to detect high-grade CIN were 52.5%, 96.4%, 96.8%, and 46.6%, respectively. The LR+ ratio was 13.2 and the LR- ratio was 0.49. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the rag sign to detect high-grade CIN were 38.4%, 96%, 95.7%, and 40.2%, respectively. The LR+ ratio was 9.7 and the LR- ratio was 0.6. Only the ridge sign showed a correlation with young age. Presence of any two signs significantly increased the LR of the presence of high-grade CIN. The inner border, ridge sign, and the newly defined rag sign are objective, effective colposcopic signs and are significantly associated with high-grade CIN.