Accuracy of visual inspection methods for the diagnosis of cervical precancerous lesions

Authors

  • Elie Nkwabong MD; Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology; University Teaching Hospital/ Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaoundé (Cameroon).
  • Catherine Nguinzeg Mboka MD; General Practitioner, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology; University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé (Cameroon).
  • Yvette Nkene Mawamba MD; Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology; University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé (Cameroon).
  • Isaac Delon Sandjong Tietchou MD; Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology; Gyneco-Obstetric & Pediatric Hospital, Yaoundé (Cameroon).

Keywords:

Visual inspection methods; Cervical precancerous lesions; Sensitivity; Specificity; Positive predictive values; Negative predictive values; Likehood ratios.

Abstract

Objective: To access the accuracy of visual inspection methods for diagnosing cervical
dysplasia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between 1st December 2016 and 30th
April 2017. All cases positive to Visual Inspections with Acetic acid (VIA) or with Lugol’s
Iodine (VILI) as well as cases of macroscopic abnormal cervices, irrespective of the results of
visual inspection, had a colposcopy-directed biopsy.

Results: A total of 109 women out of 1127 screened for cervical dysplasia had both visual
inspection and biopsy done. The Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive predictive and Negative
predictive values were 44.6%, 52.2%, 75% and 22.6% for VIA and 90.5%, 13.0%, 77.0% and
30% for VILI respectively.

Conclusion: In our setting, the sensitivity of VILI in diagnosing cervical dysplasia is higher
than that of VIA. Therefore, to reduce the rate of undiagnosed cervical dysplasia that might
evolve to cancer, VILI should always be used in combination with VIA.

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Published

2022-06-03

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2: Current Issue

Section

Articles