Chapters

Introduction

Introduction

Visual inspection after application of acetic acid (VIA)

VIA as a screening test for cervical cancer Advantages of VIA Limitations of VIA VIA to triage women positive on the HPV test

Determining eligibility for ablative treatment after application of acetic acid

In the context of VIA screening In the context of HPV screening

Anatomical considerations

Anatomical considerations Gross anatomy of female genital organs

External genitalia Internal genitalia

Gross anatomy of cervix

Cervical epithelium

Cervical epithelium Squamous epithelium Columnar epithelium Squamocolumnar junction

Physiological changes of cervical epithelium

Ectropion Squamous metaplasia Transformation zone of the cervix Pregnancy Atrophic changes Congenital transformation zone (CTZ)

Neoplastic changes of the cervical epithelium

Genesis of cervical cancer Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) Cervical cancers

Changes in the cervical epithelium after application of acetic acid

Pathophysiological basis

Instruments, consumables, and setup required for examination after application of acetic acid

Instruments and consumables required Preparation of 5% dilute acetic acid Setup for the procedures

VIA procedure

As a screening test or a triage test Counselling History taking Preparation for VIA procedure Steps for inspection of the external genitalia Steps for insertion of the speculum and exposure of the cervix Steps for examination before application of acetic acid

Steps Normal findings

Normal cervicovaginal discharge Bleeding through the external os Nabothian cyst Ectropion

Abnormal findings

Cervicovaginal inflammation Cervical Polyp Leukoplakia Cervical condyloma Growth or ulcer

Examination after application of acetic acid

Steps for applying acetic acid to the cervix Detecting changes in the cervical epithelium after application of acetic acid Normal findings

Squamous epithelium Columnar epithelium Squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) Transformation zone (TZ)

Features during pregnancy Abnormal features

Abnormal features Rapidity of onset of acetowhitening Intensity of acetowhitening Margin of acetowhite area Location of acetowhite area Surface of acetowhite area Size of acetowhite area Conclusion of examination Post-VIA counselling Documentation of findings

Interpretation of VIA test results

Interpretation of VIA test results VIA Negative

No acetowhite area Columnar epithelium appearing white Polyps with faint acetowhite change Nabothian cysts appearing white Line-like acetowhitening at the SCJ Patchy acetowhite areas without any definite margin Thin acetowhite areas with tongue-shaped projections towards the external os Acetowhite areas away from the SCJ

VIA Positive

Dense acetowhite areas in the TZ with well-defined margins Dense acetowhite area on columnar epithelium Entire cervix appearing dense acetowhite Leukoplakia becoming acetowhite CTZ appearing acetowhite

Suspicious of invasive cancer

Preventing errors in VIA

Preventing errors in VIA Inadequate exposure of the cervix Inadequate visualization of the transformation zone Inadequate visualization of the margins of acetowhite areas Errors in assessment

Errors in assessment of acetowhite areas Errors in recognizing cervical cancer Errors in assessment of the postmenopausal cervix

Management of women with an abnormal VIA test

Management of women with an abnormal VIA test

Steps to determine eligibility for ablative treatment

Principles Principles of treating cervical precancerous lesions Criteria used to determine eligibility for ablative treatment Steps to determine eligibility for ablative treatment

Role of Lugol’s iodine in identifying the transformation zone for treatment

Role of Lugol’s iodine in identifying the transformation zone for treatment Steps for applying Lugol’s iodine to the cervix Lugol’s iodine for pre-treatment assessment Preparation of Lugol’s iodine

Treatment by cryotherapy

Principles Cryosurgical unit Ancillary instruments and consumables Steps Side-effects and complications Post-treatment advice and follow-up Video

Treatment by thermal ablation

Principles The benchtop model The battery-operated model Complications Video

Videos

Steps of applying acetic acid for VIA and identifying the transformation zone (VIA negative) Steps of applying acetic acid for VIA, determining eligibility for ablation and treatment with thermal ablation

Preparation of Monsel’s solution

Preparation of Monsel’s solution

Infection prevention

Standard procedures for protection from infection Essential steps for infection prevention in VIA screening or triage Preparation of 0.5% chlorine solution

VIA-negative cases VIA-positive cases VIA-suspicious of cancer cases

Quiz Acknowledgement Suggested citation Copyright

Home / Training / Manuals / Atlas of visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid for screening, triage, and assessment for treatment

Atlas of visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid for screening, triage, and assessment for treatment

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VIA procedure – Examination after application of 5% acetic acid – Detecting changes in the cervical epithelium after application of acetic acid

While applying acetic acid, look for any new acetowhite patches appearing on the cervix. The columnar epithelium will be temporarily blanched; this is a normal finding.
Identify the SCJ, which becomes prominent as a thin white line of demarcation between the pink smooth squamous epithelium and the red columnar epithelium.
Note the location of the SCJ in relation to the external os (outside, partially inside, or completely inside the endocervical canal). Try to trace the SCJ through its entire 360° circumference. Sometimes the SCJ may not be fully visible in its entire 360° circumference on the ectocervix. In such cases, try to visualize it completely by using the following simple manipulations:

Try opening the blades of the speculum slightly wider, taking care not to cause discomfort to the woman. If the SCJ is located close to the external os, it may become fully visible as a result of the mechanical stretching effect.
Using a moist cotton swab, gently press on the cervical lips. Pushing the anterior lip up or pushing the posterior lip down may enable the SCJ to be completely visualized.

Proceed to delineate the extent of the TZ by searching for nabothian cysts and crypt openings (occasionally visible to the naked eye) and the features of metaplasia (described later). Make sure to examine the entire TZ.
If there is an acetowhite area (a white patch visible after application of acetic acid), assess it for:

Rapidity of onset of acetowhitening, and time taken for acetowhitening to disappear
Intensity of colour of the acetowhite epithelium (whether thin or dense)
Margin: whether ill-defined or well-defined, whether smooth, feathery, or irregular, and whether flat or raised from the surface
Location and number of acetowhite patches:

Assess the location of the acetowhite area with respect to the TZ and attachment to the SCJ. Look for any extension of the lesion into the endocervical canal or onto the vaginal fornices.
Note the number of acetowhite areas on the cervix and their location with respect to the TZ.

Surface of the acetowhite area (whether smooth, irregular, or pitted)
Size of acetowhite area, in terms of the number of quadrants of the cervix occupied and the percentage of the cervix involved.

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