Chronic lymphocytic cervicitis: cytologic and histopathologic manifestations.

(1) Chronic lymphocytic cervicitis is a benign, apparently self-limited or reversible morphologic entity characterized histologically by subepithelial cervicovaginal collections of lymphocytes of varying maturity admixed with phagocytic and non-phagocytic reticulum cells. By mechanical abrasion or spontaneous ulceration, these heterogeneous cellular elements mirroring an imprint of a hyperplastic lymph node have been observed with regular frequency in routine gynecologic material. (2) From analysis of 170 patients with this lesion over the past 11.5 years, the typical presentation evolves as that of an asymptomatic postmenopausal women in her sixth decade with a normal appearing cervix. Significant variability in age and functional status is encountered however. (3) No unifying or definitive endocrinologic, microbiologic, traumatic, or systemic disease associated factors can be implicated in the genesis of chronic lymphocytic cervicitis. (4) The differential diagnostic features distinguishing chronic lymphocytic cervicitis from endometrial stromal cells, bare nuclei, small cell epithelial lesions, and leukemia/lymphoma are discussed. (5)The importance of cautious appraisal of the biologic or diagnostic significance of any heterogenous lymphocytic and reticulum cell infiltration in histologic or cytologic material from the cervix or vagina is emphasized.