Significance of some colposcopy signs as a marker for severity of histologic atypia

: We present the latest revision of colposcopic terminology accepted by IFCPC. The differences from the previous revision are represented. Colposcopic atypia encompasses a wide range of changes in the cervical mucosa. Therefore to drawa parallel between colposcopic findings and the severity of the histological changes in affected areas is difficult. The objective of the observers is to improve the accuracy of colposcopy as diagnostic method. For this purpose specific signs are searched that increase the degree of coincidence between colposcopic and histological atypia We present examples for the described markers "inner border sign" and "ridge sign", included in the latest nomenclature of IFCPC. Research results show the specificity of "inner border sign" and "ridge sign" for the detection of underlying CIN2/3 reaches 93.1% and 97% respectively. We have illustrated also the recently defined "rag sign" and "umbilication", which could be associated with high-grade CIN. Conclusion. Careful review of the lesion when there is a colposcopic atypia can detect features that guide the examiner to possibly severe changes and therefore have practical significance in selecting a suitable biopsy place and appropriate observing.