SCJ and TZ Interpretation
immature squamous metaplastic
The SCJ and TZ types of the 50 selected cases were assessed on digital photos of the cervix (native and with acetic acid) captured at enrollment in the study (prethermal ablation) and at the follow-up visit 6-12 months later (post-thermal ablation; Fig Cervical appearance before and 6-12 months after TA. (A) Cervical appearance before treatment (native). (B) Cervical appearance before treatment after acetic acid application. (C) Cervical appearance 12 months after treatment (native). (D) Twelve months after treatment after acetic acid application. Notably, this situation was interpreted as TZ type 1 at the first visit and TZ type 3 at the follow-up visit after treatment by TA. The new SCJ had moved much closer to the internal OS after treatment. The SCJ is visible as a distinct white line after the application of 5% acetic acid because of the presence of immature squamous metaplastic epithelium adjacent to the new SCJ. SCJ, squamocolumnar junction; TA, thermal ablation; TZ, transformation zone.