Histological Patterns in Fallopian Tube Pathology - A Retrospective Study of 200 Consecutive Cases.

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the histological patterns in the various pathological lesions of the fallopian tube. Histology slides of 200 gynaecological specimens containing one or both the fallopian tubes were studied retrospectively and the morphological patterns observed in different tubal pathologies were documented. Tubal pathology was observed in 31% (62/200) of the cases studied. Salpingitis, accounting for 12% (24/200) of the cases was the most common lesion followed by ectopic tubal gestation (10.5%), paratubal cysts (4%), haematosalpinx (1.5%), endometriosis (1%) and torsion of the tube (1%) in decreasing order of frequency. No primary neoplasm of the fallopian tube was observed, however, there were two cases of secondary involvement of the tube by a dysgerminoma ovary and a squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix respectively. Fallopian tubes are primarily involved by inflammatory pathology which manifests either as infertility or as ectopic tubal pregnancy. Recently, the fimbrial end of the tube has been recognized as the site of origin of high grade serous ovarian and peritoneal cancers. Hence, a thorough examination of the fallopian tubes in each gynaecologic specimen is essential for early detection and treatment of these conditions.