Accuracy of visual inspection methods for the diagnosis of cervical precancerous lesions
Elie Nkwabong, Catherine Nguinzeg Mboka, Yvette Nkene Mawamba, Isaac Delon Sandjong Tietchou
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.
