Fallopian tubes & broad ligament
Fallopian tube tumor-like lesions
Salpingitis isthmica nodosa
Authors: Nicole D. Riddle, M.D., Jamie Shutter, M.D.
Last author update: 1 August 2013
Last staff update: 14 March 2023 (update in progress)
Copyright: 2002-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Salpingitis isthmica nodosa
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Terminology | Epidemiology | Etiology | Clinical features | Case reports | Gross description | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Riddle N, Shutter J. Salpingitis isthmica nodosa. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/fallopiantubessin.html. Accessed April 2nd, 2023.
Definition / general
- Fallopian tube epithelium outpouching into tubal wall
- In severe cases, lumen may be completely obstructed
- May also associated with endosalpingiosis
Terminology
- Also called diverticulosis of fallopian tube
Epidemiology
- Occurs in ~1% of Caucasians, 10% of African Americans
- Young women, mean 26 years
- 85% bilateral
Etiology
- May be analogous to uterine adenomyosis
Clinical features
- Associated with infertility in 50% but presence may not actually affect number of births (Hum Reprod 1991;6:828)
- May lead to ectopic pregnancy
Case reports
- 33 year old woman with hemoperitoneum and ruptured salpingitis isthmica nodosum (BMJ Case Rep 2021;14:e237860)
- 45 year old woman (Indian J Pathol Microbiol 2009;52:434)
- 46 year old woman with salpingitis isthmica nodosa (J Clin Diagn Res 2013;7:2581)
Gross description
- Usually well delineated, yellow white nodular swelling(s) up to 2 cm, usually isthmus, may be inconspicuous
Gross images
AFIP images
Salpingitis isthmica nodosa
Images hosted on other servers:
Nodules at isthmus
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Regularly spaced glands lined by normal appearing tubal epithelium within hypertrophied smooth muscle or surrounding fibrous tissue
- Glands may be cystically dilated and are true diverticula that communicate with tubal lumen
- Occasionally glands surrounded by endometrial type stroma
- No significant atypia, stromal response minimal
Microscopic (histologic) images
Contributed by @Andrew_Fltv on Twitter and AFIP
Salpingitis isthmica nodosa
Salpingitis isthmica nodosa
Images hosted on other servers:
Lumen extension into hypertrophied muscular wall
Cystically dilated
glands within
hypertrophied
muscle wall
Dilated glands trapped in muscle layer
Epithelial lining and subepithelial glands
Differential diagnosis
- Carcinoma: both have irregular placement of glands but SIN has no atypia and minimal stromal response
