Objective: To analyze the performance of colposcopy assisted with dynamic spectral imaging (CC-DSI) compared to conventional colposcopy (CC) in diagnosing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ (CIN2+).
Methods: In total, 973 consecutive women were referred for colposcopy between 2012 and 2016 and were examined simultaneously by CC and CC-DSI; 877 were eligible. Comparisons between CC and CC-DSI were performed against the histological diagnosis performed by either punch biopsy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).
Results: In final histology, 494 women had no CIN, 250 had CIN1 and 133 had CIN2+. The sensitivity to identify women with CIN2+ was significantly higher for CC-DSI compared to CC for the entire group and in the subgroup of 675 women referred with ASCUS or LSIL. In women with HPV16/18 infections, the sensitivity of CC increased with the addition of DSI from 53% to 79% (p < 0.001). Using a multivariant Cox regression model, CC-DSI was an independent factor for progression of the cervical lesions (HR: 2.29, 95% CI 1.07-4.90). Other predictive factors were the number of sexual partners (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09) and anal intercourse (HR: 2.45, 95% CI 1.23-5.02).
Conclusion: CC-DSI improves the ability to detect cervical lesions compared to CC and could help predict their potential to progress.
Keywords: Colposcopy; HPV; cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; dynamic spectral imaging; human papillomavirus; progression; sensitivity.