Colposcopy

Description

Colposcopy is a diagnostic technique that allows the clinician to identify normal landmarks, find changes suggestive of underlying abnormality, and select sites for biopsy that will yield the greatest information. It may be used to support other procedures such as conization.

Colposcopy is based on a simple stereoscopic operating microscope with magnifications of 4–40 times. Although most often used to examine the uterine cervix, colposcopy may be used to evaluate the vagina, vulva, and other structures.

Indications

Abnormal cervical cytology (atypia, cancer, dysplasia, koilocytosis), cervical lesions (palpable or visible), condyloma (current or past; relative indication), human immunodeficiency virus infection, intrauterine diethylstilbestrol exposure, surveillance or follow-up, or as a guide to ablative or extirpative procedures.

Contraindications

Colposcopy is not recommended for adolescents or pregnant patients with Pap test abnormalities of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Endocervical curettage is contraindicated during pregnancy. Cervical or vaginal infections are not contraindications to the procedure but may alter histopathologic or cytologic evaluations.