Colposcopy.

The main clinical value of colposcopy in modern gynecology is in the clinical diagnosis of patients with abnormal cytology. In colposcopically directed biopsies it is possible for an experienced colposcopist to sample with a high degree of accuracy the most advanced histopathologic changes. This significantly decreases the frequency of diagnostic conization. Colposcopy can efficiently select patients for outpatient treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, since it precisely defines the size and localization of epithelial changes. A new application of colposcopy is in the evaluation of young girls who have been exposed to stilbestrol in utero. In these patients colposcopy can improve the diagnosis of changes in cervical-vaginal epithelium.