Video colpography: a new technique for secondary cervical screening

Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1997 Feb;104(2):150-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb11035.x.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a new technique of cervical imaging and to consider its potential as a secondary cervical screening method.

Design: A prospective cross-sectional study with each case acting as its own control, comparing video colpography with colposcopy.

Setting: University of Birmingham colposcopy clinics, City Hospital and Birmingham Women's Hospital.

Participants: Fifty women referred for colposcopy.

Interventions: The women had a video colpogram recording made prior to colposcopy.

Main outcome measures: The proportion of technically suitable colpograms obtained and the level of agreement between colposcopist and video screener.

Results: The images were satisfactory or good in 94% cases, and there was a very high level of agreement between colposcopist and video screener (kappa = 0.79). If the technique had been used in a primary health care setting as a secondary screening method for women with low grade cervical smear abnormalities, 61% would have avoided referral for colposcopy.

Conclusions: Video colpography is an accurate, portable and quick method of cervical imaging. It combines the simplicity of a video camera with the versatility of computerised digital imaging and has great potential in the fields of teaching, audit and screening of low grade smear abnormalities.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colposcopy / methods
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / prevention & control*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control*