Digital colposcopy: ready for use? An overview of literature

Abstract

The aims of this review were to summarise the various methods of digital colposcopy and to provide an overview of their efficacy. We conducted a literature search and focused on papers that described a technique for colposcopy, other than conventional colposcopy, and compared this with conventional colposcopy and/or histology and included digitalisation of the process. All papers have been classified in one of the following categories: digital imaging and telecolposcopy, spectroscopy, computerised colposcopy, optical coherence tomography and confocal microcolposcopy. Among the most promising developments is spectroscopy, allowing a more or less automated analysis and interpretation of the colposcopic image.

Agreement between Colposcopic Diagnosis and Cervical Pathology: Siriraj Hospital Experience

“…Most are in the developing process and not available worldwide. The level of sensitivity and specificity in detection of HSIL of these new techniques are not much better than conventional colposcopy (Louwers et al, 2009). In this HPV vaccinated era, the ratio of high grade cervical cytology will decrease.…”

“…Utilizing high quality cytology laboratories, quality assurance colposcopists and pathologists will increase accuracy of colposcopy (Benedet et al, 2004). Evidence for new techniques of spectroscopy and other diagnostic devices is limited (Louwers et al, 2009). Most are in the developing process and not available worldwide.…”

The detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by electrical impedance spectroscopy: The effects of acetic acid and tissue homogeneity

“…There is therefore, the need to develop other tests that not only improve the detection of high grade CIN but also provide real time results, so that women with abnormal smears can be appropriately managed. 4 Colposcopic examination including directed biopsies has long been proposed as the gold standard in the evaluation of abnormal cervical cytology. However there is increasing evidence demonstrating its poor performance with only 54.8% of women with CIN3 being diagnosed in the colposcopy arm of the ALTS study [4].…”

“…4 Colposcopic examination including directed biopsies has long been proposed as the gold standard in the evaluation of abnormal cervical cytology. However there is increasing evidence demonstrating its poor performance with only 54.8% of women with CIN3 being diagnosed in the colposcopy arm of the ALTS study [4]. Various new technologies, usually employing optical spectroscopy, have been investigated to improve the detection of CIN and have reported sensitivity to detect high grade CIN in the range of 70-95% and specificity of 50-83% [5].…”

Colposcopic Characteristics of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus-Related Cervical Lesions

“…Further studies are needed to find out the strengths of these criteria. With the development of new diagnostic tools [31], it may be possible to better define colposcopic features associated with a hrHPV infection.…”