Ground-glass image as a novel colposcopic change induced by human papillomavirus

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the performance of the colposcopic ground-glass image for diagnosis of HPV infection in patients who attended the Gynecology Oncology Service La Trinidad Teaching Medical Center and the La Floresta Medical Institute, between 2019 and 2022. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study that included 32 patients who attended the general surgery service, to the Gynecology Oncology clinic, with indication for colposcopy, in whom the frosted glass image was observed. Associated colposcopic changes, cytological and histological results, and positive lesion prediction value were evaluated. Results: In 10 cases (31.3 %) no associated lesions were found, there were 6 cases associated with thick white epithelium, 6 with fine white epithelium and 6 irregular mosaic (18.8 % each image). In 25 cases, cytology was negative (78.1 %). There were two cases of squamous cell atypia of uncertain significance (6.3%), two cases of low-grade lesion (6.3%), and three cases of high-grade lesion (9.4%). Biopsies were compatible with human papillomavirus infection in 100% of cases, there were 13 cases (40.6%) accompanied by squamous metaplasia or inflammatory changes, 13 patients (40.6%) with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 and 6 (18.8%) with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2-3. Conclusion: Ground-glass imaging was associated with HPV infection, with a positive predictive value of 100%.