Pathologist variation in reporting cervical borderline epithelial abnormalities and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Abstract

Aims - To evaluate the interobserver variation in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial lesions, including the new category 'borderline abnormalities of uncertain significance' (BAUS) which has not been tested before. Methods - Biopsy specimens of 122 patients were reviewed by five histopathologists and the diagnoses subjected to re statistical analysis. Results - There was poor interobserver agreement in all categories, particularly between BAUS and normal tissue. Conclusions - The current guidelines for the histological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and BAUS are poorly reproducible.