Colposcopy

The colposcopy , even vaginoscopy called, is a gynecological examination procedures, the 1925 Hans Hinselmann was developed. The gynecologist looks at the portio or vulva with a magnifying lens (e.g. 30x), the colposcope . Colposcopy has an important role in the early detection of cancer , e.g. B. in cervical cancer . In principle, any accessible surface can be viewed with the colposcope ( dermatoscopy , nippleoscopy , peniscopy , vulvoscopy, etc.). The colposcope also functions as a surgical microscope (e.g. for laser operations). For the important documentation , photos and video films can be created via the colposcope, which is important for follow-up examinations and discussions (also via the Internet).

The research efforts are underway about the colposcopy by high-resolution optical coherence tomography supplement. This means that tissue changes can also be made visible in depth (several millimeters).

See also

• Pap test

literature

• M. Löning, E. Lankenau, C. Strunck, M. Krokowski, S. Hillbricht, K. Diedrich, G. Hüttmann: Optical coherence tomography - a new high-resolution sectional image method as a supplement to colposcopy , obstetrics and gynecology 63, pp. 1158–1161 , 2003.
• St. Seidl: practice of colposcopy. Marseille Publishing House, 1998

Web links

• Information page of the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Jena University Hospital with some photos
• DIMDI HTA report on colposcopy early detection of cervical cancer - website of the German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI) on a health technology assessment (HTA report) on colposcopy (August 27, 2007).

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !