Cytological Pitfalls: A Review of Five Areas of Diagnostic Difficulty

ABSTRACT

Five diagnostic problems common to all cytopathologists are reviewed. Most common and most difficult are the problems related to human papillomaviral infection, either alone or in association with a neoplastic lesion. Cytologic difficulties are also encountered in postpartum patients and in those wearing intrauterine devices. In addition, problems may arise in distinguishing squamous metaplasia from the metaplastic dysplasia. Finally, a group of lesions arising within endocervical tissue also cause diagnostic difficulties. These cytologic pitfalls are briefly reviewed, and morphologic features that may assist in the resolution of the diagnostic dilemma are described.