RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the different patterns of DNA nuclear content in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. STUDY DESIGN: DNA nuclear content patterns (DNA ploidy) were assessed in 82 paraffin embedded samples diagnosed as chronic cervicitis CIN 1, CIN 2 and CIN 3 by image analysis using the CAS200 BD System. These results were compared to the consensus diagnosis of two pathologists. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the results of classificatory variables (CIN 1, CIN 2 and CIN 3). RESULTS: Aneuploidy was found in 86% of CIN 3; 59% CIN 2; 26%% CIN 1. All samples classified as chronic cervicitis were diploid. CONCLUSIONS: The DNA nuclear content was found to parallel the three grades of the histological WHO classification. Aneuploidy was strongly associated with the high-grade lesions; the detection of a subset aneuploidy of low grade lesions would suggest a indicate closer follow-up of these cases.