249 Int. J. Gynecol. Obstet., 1991,34: 249-252 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Role of microcolposcopy in the diagnostic evaluation of cervical pre-invasive lesions N. Pasetto, E. Piccione and F. Sesti Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iind University of Rome, Hospital S. Eugenio, Piazzale Umanesimo, 00144 Rome (Received May 5th. 1989) (Revised and accepted December Eth, 1989) zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Abstract The present clinical study was undertaken to assess and compare the value of microcol- poscopy and endocervical curettage in the diagnostic workup of patients with abnormal cervical lesions. Microcolposcopic findings were well correlated to histology both on directed biopsy and endocervical curettage specimens. Therefore, both microcolposcopy and endocervical curettage are useful proce- dures to explore the endocervical mucosa. Microcolposcopy should be mainly indicated in those cases where colposcopy has failed to show any lesion, or when colposcopy is unsa- tisfactory. Keywords: Microcolposcopy; Endocervical curettage; Preneoplastic cervical lesions. Introduction The evaluation of the involvement of the endocervical canal constitutes an essential step in the diagnostic workup of the cervical pre-invasive lesions (subclinical papilloma- viral infection (SPI) and cervical intraepi- thelial neoplasia (CIN)). In fact, it appears clinically very important both to define the possible dysplastic involvement of the endo- OO20-7292/91/$03.50 0 1991 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Published and Printed in Ireland cervical canal in the case of unsatisfactory colposcopic examination (the entire squamo- columnar junction and/or the entire extent of the lesion not completely seen) and to identify occult pre-invasive or invasive lesions of the endocervical canal in the case of satisfactory colposcopic examination (the entire squamo- columnar junction and/or the entire extent of the lesion completely seen). These provide a useful guide to more correct and rational management. Today, both endoscopic examinations such as microcolposcopy, and histological exami- nations, such as endocervical curettage, are clinically available to explore, in particular, the mucosa of the endocervical canal. Therefore, the present clinical study was undertaken to assess and compare the clinical value of microcolposcopy and endocervical curettage during the diagnostic workup of patients affected by SPI or CIN, correlating the findings of the endoscopic observations with the results of the endocervical histologic examinations in both satisfactory and unsatis- factory colposcopic examination. Materials and methods The patients examined at the Outpatient Clinic for Cervical-vaginal and Vulvar Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Clinical and Clinical Research