Method comparison between Munich II and III nomenclature for Pap smear samples

Objective: Munich Nomenclature III for cervical smear evaluation also known as Papanicolaou (Pap) smear was launched in Germany in July 2014, and it is the only used system in Germany. The study aims at a method comparison between the previously used nomenclature Munich II and the currently used Munich III. Material and Methods: A method comparison was performed by analyzing 117 Pap smear samples (pss) in the cytological laboratory of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Luebeck University between January and March 2014. The samples were evaluated twice using both nomenclatures (Munich II and Munich III). Results: One out of the 117 pss showed a loss of cellular material. According to Munich III, this Pap smear should be linked to group 0. Concerning Pap I, Munich II showed 0/117 pss (0%) and Munich III showed 55/117 pss (47%) cases (p<0.001). Pap II results were seen less frequently in Munich III than in Munich II (47% vs 93%, p<0.001). Pap IVa, IVb, and V stay similar in both nomenclatures [IVa: 1/117 pss (0.85%), IVb: 0/117 pss (0%) and V: 1/117 pss (0.85%)]. Conclusion: Patients at risk are clearly separated by Munich III from those with no evidence of pathology. The former clusters have been extended by distinctly defined subgroups, resulting in a more precise way to differentiate cytological findings. Differentiating between Pap IIID 1 and IIID 2 clearly separates mild and moderate dysplasia [cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 (CIN 1) and CIN 2)].