Is there a medical condition known as papillary endocervicitis (inflammation of the cervix)?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: April 20, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Papillary endocervicitis is not a recognized medical term in the provided evidence. The term "endocervicitis" refers to inflammation of the endocervical canal, but "papillary endocervicitis" is not mentioned in the study by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1.

Key Points to Consider

  • The study focuses on the gynecologic examination for adolescents in the pediatric office setting, including speculum examination and inspection of the cervix for lesions or discharge 1.
  • The cervix should be completely visualized to note the presence of any lesions, and the presence or absence of an ectropion on the exocervix 1.
  • Friability and hyperemia of the cervix can indicate infection with an STI, and white plaques on the cervix that cannot be removed with a swab could indicate condyloma acuminata 1.
  • The provided evidence does not support the use of the term "papillary endocervicitis" in medical practice, and it is not a recognized condition in the context of the study 1.

Clinical Implications

  • Clinicians should focus on recognizing and treating conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and other STIs, which can cause symptoms and signs similar to those that might be attributed to "papillary endocervicitis" 1.
  • A thorough gynecological examination, including speculum examination and possible colposcopy and biopsy, may be necessary to distinguish between different cervical pathologies 1.

From the Research

Medical Term: Papillary Endocervicitis

  • Papillary endocervicitis is a medical term that refers to a specific type of endocervical change.
  • According to the study 2, papillary endocervicitis was observed in 9 cases (18%) of the 50 cervical biopsy samples, indicating its presence as a non-neoplastic lesion of the cervix.
  • The study 2 also mentions that the patients with papillary endocervicitis were part of a larger group that reported white discharge per vaginum as a common clinical symptom.
  • There is no direct mention of papillary endocervicitis in the other studies 3, 4, 5, or 6, which focus on different aspects of cervical health, such as cervicitis, endometrial hyperplasia, and endocervical curettage.

Related Conditions

  • Cervicitis, which is the inflammation of the cervix, is a related condition that can cause symptoms such as increased vaginal discharge and intermenstrual bleeding 3.
  • Endocervical changes, including papillary endocervicitis, can be observed in cervical biopsy samples, and their diagnosis is important for understanding the underlying causes of cervical symptoms 2.
  • Other non-neoplastic lesions of the cervix, such as squamous metaplasia and nabothian follicle cyst, can also be observed in cervical biopsy samples 2.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Cervicitis: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment.

Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.), 2019

Research

Endometrial Hyperplasia.

Obstetrics and gynecology, 2022

Research

Endocervicosis of the Uterine Cervix.

International journal of gynecological pathology : official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists, 2016

Related Questions

Are antibiotics recommended after a cervical biopsy?
What is the most definitive treatment for a patient with atypical complex hyperplasia, irregular menstruation, and chronic anovulation?
What are the implications and necessary steps for a bump on the cervix?
What is the cause and workup of a thick 30mm endometrial stripe in a 49-year-old woman with an Intrauterine Device (IUD) and abnormal uterine bleeding?
How to manage a patient with atypical endometrial hyperplasia, obesity, gout, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease?
Does hypokalemia (low potassium) cause sinus tachycardia?
Does potassium replacement correct sinus tachycardia with hypokalemia (potassium level of 2.6) or is metoprolol (metoprolol) required?
Is a creatinine (crea) level of 1.62 indicative of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
What are the 10, 20, and 30 year probabilities of biochemical recurrence, metastasis, and disease-specific death in a patient with prostate cancer, given a pre-prostatectomy Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level of 4.0, Gleason score 3+4, cribriform pattern, pathological T2c stage, and a Prostate-Specific Antigen Doubling Time (PSADT) of 7.5 months?
What are the 10, 20, and 30 year probabilities of biochemical recurrence, metastasis, and disease-specific death in a patient with prostate cancer, given a pre-prostatectomy Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level of 4.4, Gleason score 3+4, cribriform pattern, pathological T2c stage, and a Prostate-Specific Antigen Doubling Time (PSADT) of 7.5 months?
Can a patient with sleep apnea and desaturation to hypoxemia, despite oxygen therapy via a ventilator mask, be considered for a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) order?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.