Introducing a new scoring system for pap smear in the detection of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in pregnancy (The Luebeck Score)

For development of a scoring system for cell appraisal of pap smears the style of the Modified Masood’s Scoring Index for appraisal of cells from fine needle aspirations of breast lesions was used. Cohort analysis of n = 54 dysplastic pap smears for polymorphology of cells, anisonucleosis, structure of the nucleus, signs of tissue destruction, nucleus/plasma relation and signs of tumordiathesis. Each criteria was classified into three stages: The first with little evidence for dysplasia (one point), second stage with sporadic evidence (two points) or third stage with frequent evidence (three points). To further evaluate if pregnancy associated cells changes interfere with this scoring system we compared the results of pregnant and non-pregnant women. Histological result was used as an indicator of correctness of the score.

Statistical analysis showed a good correlation of the scoring system with histological results. Especially in pregnancy statistical analysis shows promising results (sensitivity 86.67 %, Specificity 100 %, receiver operating characteristic analysis p ≤ 0.05).