Fig. 4

Sorting results were categorized into three zones. The critical observation zone corresponds to the top five sorted cases. This zone is the “area where cytologists must carefully observe.” It includes abnormal cases and cases with a high quantity of cells and strong overlaps, atrophic changes in older adults that require differentiation from HSIL, and cases in younger individuals with a high number of bacteria or strong inflammation. The diagnostic ambiguity zone corresponds to a lower sorted area. This zone is characterized as “potentially inappropriate or ambiguous for diagnosis.” This characterization included cases with inadequate specimens or low cell count. However, ASC abnormalities may also be observed in this zone. The high-risk sorting zone lies between critical observation and diagnostic ambiguity zones. It is where “more than 90% of abnormal cases are sorted.” This zone is crucial for identifying cases requiring further attention and careful evaluation.