Tubal metaplasia and use of contraceptive methods

Abstract

To determine the frequency of detecting tubal metaplasia of the endocervix (TME) in cervico-vaginal cytological smears, we retrospectively reviewed 450 out of 2,371 cervico-vaginal Pap smears, selected by chance, with no glandular abnormality at the first examination [150 from women using intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD), 150 from sterilized women by bilateral tubal ligation (BTL); and 150 from women using no or other contraceptive methods]. TME was seen in 16.7% of the patients using IUD; 70.1% of the patients submitted to BTL; and 49.0% of the patients from the last group. Atypical glandular cells on cervical cytology are a problem for clinicians and pathologists alike. The differential diagnosis of endocervical glandular abnormalities including TME is discussed.