Cytohistological correlation and discrepancy of conventional papanicolaou smear test with corresponding histopathology: A retrospective study over a 5-year period

The accuracy of Papanicolaou (Pap) smear testing can be measured using the cytohistological correlation and discrepancy method. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the cytohistological correlation and discrepancy of the conventional Pap test with the corresponding histopathology and to compare the data with other similar studies. A retrospective study was performed at the pathology department of a referral hospital in Muscat, Oman, over a 5-year period. Of 6000 Pap smears, 162 had matching histopathology results (abnormal smear rate 2.7%) but 10 were unsatisfactory for histological diagnosis. Cytohistological correlation was seen in 96/152 (63.2%), while discrepancy was seen in 56/152 (36.8%). False negatives and false positives were found for 7 and 49 cases respectively. The findings of this study confirm the role of conventional Pap testing as a screening test for the diagnosis of cervical lesion but not for management of patients. In comparison with other studies, we also report a low percentage of abnormal Pap smears.