Negative computer‐imaged ThinPrep Pap test and positive hybrid capture2 HPV co‐testing results: A quality assurance review

Women ≥30 years of age with negative (−) Pap tests and positive (+) HPV co‐test results have a higher prevalence and cumulative risk of developing high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2+). Thus, the current management in these women is to repeat co‐test in 12 months or immediate reflex genotyping for HPV16 or HPV 16/18. If genotyping is not an option, timely quality assurance (QA) rescreen of such Pap tests may be a valuable alternative. All ThinPrep Pap tests (TPPT) interpreted as negative for intra epithelial lesion (NILM) or NILM with reactive cellular changes (NILM/RCC) and a (+) high‐risk HPV [Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2), Qiagen, Hilden, Germany] co‐test result over a 45‐month period (10/2009‐06/2013) underwent monthly QA review. The TPPT were screened by the TP Imaging System [TIS, Hologic Inc., Bedford, MA]. Twenty five thousand six hundred and seventy five (18%) NILM and NILM/RCC TPPT of a total of 141,548 TPPT underwent HPV co‐test. HPV test was (+) in 2,300 (8.9%) TPPT cases. HPV (+) cases by age group were <30 years, 486 (21%), and ≥30 years, 1,814 (79%). Upon QA review, 10 cases (0.4%) were reclassified, with significant findings in three cases in ≥30 years. Two cases showed high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) on repeat Pap, and one case showed endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) on biopsy. Timely QA review of HPV (+) Pap (−) co‐tests is a valuable monitor. Ninety percentage of reclassified cases were in ≥30 age group and 70% were originally signed out by using TIS 22 Field of View (FOV) only. Three reclassified cases had significant findings on follow up (F/U). Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:763–769. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.