Salpingitis isthmica nodosa in infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

Excised tubal segments from 94 infertile women with tubal obstruction, with a mean infertility duration of 5.3 years, and 40 women with ectopic tubal pregnancy were studied histopathologically to evaluate the association with salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN). The mean age of the 94 infertile women with tubal obstruction was 24.5 years. Hysterosalpingographies and laparoscopy were performed on all of them. Only the women with ectopic pregnancies we performed salpingectomy on were included in the present study. The incidence of SIN in women with tubal obstruction was 7.4%, in women with ectopic tubal pregnancy 10%, and in the control group the incidence was 0.2%. In 60% of the cases, SIN was present in both of the tubes. Based on this study, we conclude that SIN is significantly associated with infertility and ectopic tubal pregnancy.     

Isthmic ectopic pregnancy and salpingitis isthmica nodosa

Two hundred eighty-five charts were reviewed from patients who underwent surgery for ectopic pregnancy. Excluded were patients with previous tubal reparative surgery, linear salpingotomy, or failed sterilization. The incidence of isthmic ectopic pregnancy in the remaining 255 cases was 15.3%. The association of salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN) and isthmic ectopic pregnancy was determined by review of resected tubal segments. SIN was noted in 17 of 37 cases (45.9%) of isthmic ectopic pregnancy. SIN places the patient at risk for recurrent ectopic pregnancy or infertility. Recommended conservative management of isthmic ectopic pregnancy is segmental resection with postoperative emphasis on documentation of SIN when present. Postoperative hysterosalpingography is recommended with an abnormal contralateral tube or when SIN is noted in the resected tubal segment. Management options after an isthmic ectopic pregnancy when future fertility is desired are presented.     

不孕症患者输卵管近端闭塞的病理学探讨

选择３３例不孕症患者（原发不孕）１３例，继发不孕２０例）为研究对象，不孕年限为２－１８年。其中有人工流产刮宫史者１０例，放置宫内节育器者４例，异位妊娠史者１例，盆腔炎病史者５例。     

Histopathologic findings in ectopic tubal pregnancy

In 141 consecutive cases of tubal ectopic pregnancy at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, the histologic appearance of 129 surgically removed fallopian tubes containing ectopic pregnancies was reviewed and compared with an age- and race-matched control population. There was a higher incidence of chronic salpingitis (88 versus 2%) and salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN) (43 versus 5%). The ectopic pregnancy patients had a higher incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, gonorrhea, previous abortions, bitubal ligation, intrauterine device use, and previous abdominal surgery. In our population, chronic salpingitis was the most commonly associated finding. The increase in SIN was associated with postinflammatory changes (89%). We also found that ectopic tubal pregnancies may grow either intratubally or extratubally by villous invasion into the wall and blood vessels; therefore, surgical salvage of the fallopian tube by extracting the products of conception will not always be curative.     

Inflammatory etiology of salpingitis isthmica nodosa: a clinical, histological and ultrastructural study

Fifteen patients with obstructive salpingitis isthmica nodosa were studied. Histologically the tubal lumen was narrowed in all cases and in five patients the central tubal lumen could not be detected at all. In all cases an at least slight inflammatory response was found, consisting of lymphocytes and slight fibrosis. Seven of the patients had high serum chlamydial antibody titers (greater than 128). Ultrastructurally the epithelium lining the gland-like structure was similar to normal tubal epithelium. Inflammation may be a chronic irritant, leading to tubal spasm, muscular hypertrophy and eventually to salpingitis isthmica nodosa.     

Reliability of clinicians versus radiologists for detecting abnormalities on hysterosalpingogram films

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consistency of the identification of abnormal findings on hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and compare the reliability of clinicians to that of radiologists.DESIGN: Evaluation of reliability of diagnostic test.PATIENT(S): Women undergoing evaluation for infertility.INTEVENTION(S): Retrospective review of 50 HSG films by three reproductive endocrinologists and three radiologists. Each film was reread 30 days later in a blinded fashion.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The consistency of each individual reader, the reliability of detecting specific abnormalities, and the consistency of clinicians compared with radiologists was evaluated with a kappa (K) statistic and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC).RESULT(S): Average intrareader reliability was high for the detection of normal uterus, normal tubes, and tubal obstruction and low for the detection of hydrosalpinx, uterine adhesions, and pelvic adhesions. Inter-reader reliability was high in the detection of normal uterine contour, normal tubal patency, and uterine filling defect and lower for the detection of a hydrosalpinx. The reliability of detecting pelvic adhesion or salpingitis isthmica nodosa was poor.CONCLUSION(S): Intrareader reliability was generally good, especially for the detection of normal findings. Agreement among different readers is lower in detecting rare outcomes such as hydrosalpinx and pelvic adhesion and salpingitis isthmica nodosa. Clinicians more reliably diagnose hydrosalpinx and tubal obstruction, while radiologists more reliably detect the more subtle findings of salpingitis isthmica nodosa or uterine adhesions.     

The pathologic spectrum of uterotubal junction obstruction

Excised tubal segments from 42 women with uterotubal junction obstruction were studied histologically to evaluate the pathologic spectrum of disease and correlate this with clinical data. The most frequent lesion encountered was obliterative fibrosis (38.1%), confirmed by connective tissue stains, which was not associated with cornual nodularity. Other pathologic entities included salpingitis isthmica nodosa (23.8%), intramucosal endometriosis (14.3%), and chronic tubal inflammation (21.4%). Intramucosal endometriosis was distinguishable from salpingitis isthmica nodosa by virtue of its unique stroma confirmed by connective tissue staining. Women with previous pregnancies were included in all the groups. In all instances, the obstruction was present in the transmural portion of the tube and extended a variable distance into the isthmic segment. These observations on uterotubal junction obstruction demonstrate that: 1) There are multiple distinct histologic patterns, 2) Intraabdominal findings do not predict the histology of the uterotubal junction pathology, 3) Any histologic pattern can be associated with a previous intrauterine or ectopic pregnancy, and 4) The obstruction begins within the transmural portion of the oviduct, extends a variable distance into the isthmic segment, but does not obstruct the ampullary segment. These data suggest that the initiating process originates within the uterus and that fibrosis may represent a nonspecific response to chronic injury of the transmural and isthmic segments of the oviduct.     

子宫输卵管造影的图像解读

女性不孕症25%～35%由输卵管不孕症引起，子宫输卵管造影是诊断输卵管不孕症的一线方法。文章探讨输卵管通而不畅，输卵管近端阻塞，结节性输卵管峡部炎，输卵管远端积水，盆腔粘连，盆腔结核等常见输卵管病变的造影图像表现，以指导临床诊断和手术预后评估。     

Infertility surgery: microsurgery.

Tubal and peritoneal factors continue to be a leading cause of infertility. In vitro fertilization, operative laparoscopy, and microsurgery are alternatives, but they are frequently complimentary therapeutic approaches. Proper investigation is the key to select the primary treatment modality. A well-performed hysterosalpingography is most valuable in the initial assessment of the tubes and uterus. Hysterosalpingosonography, radionuclide hysterosalpingography, and falloposcopy are experimental investigative tools that may be useful in selected circumstances. Effective adjuvants to reduce postoperative adhesions continue to elude the surgeon and new substances are being experimented with. In proximal tubal obstruction, selective salpingography and tubal catheterization may differentiate cornual spasm from pathologic tubal occlusion and may be therapeutic when viscous material or endotubal synechia are the cause of obstruction. Microsurgery remains the effective approach for significant lesions such as salpingitis isthmica nodosa, endometriosis, obliterative fibrosis, and chronic follicular salpingitis. Distal tubal occlusion is amenable to treatment via either laparoscopy or microsurgery. The functional status of the oviduct appears to be the most important prognostic factor in subsequent pregnancy outcome.     

Microsurgical resection of nonocclusive salpingitis isthmica nodosa is beneficial

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of microsurgical resection and tubocornual anastomosis (TCA) of nonocclusive salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN) on fertility and risk for ectopic pregnancy (EP). DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: University-affiliated tertiary fertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Infertile women with hysterosalpingography evidence of SIN in patent fallopian tubes. INTERVENTION(S): Microsurgical resection and TCA for nonocclusive SIN. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Occurrence of IUP and EP after TCA; comparison of duration of infertility preceding TCA with time to intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) after TCA; and comparison of numbers of women who conceived an EP before and after TCA. RESULT(S): Twelve (46%) of the women had IUPs with a mean time to pregnancy of 10.5 months, which is significantly shorter than the preceding period of infertility. Three women experienced EPs after TCA, which is reduced compared with the number of women with an EP preceding the TCA. CONCLUSION(S): The significant decrease in time to conceive an IUP after surgery as compared with the duration of infertility before surgery and the apparent reduction in risk for EP after surgery demonstrate the benefit of TCA for resection of nonocclusive SIN.     

Conservative laparoscopic treatment of 321 ectopic pregnancies

From 1974 to 1984, 321 tubal pregnancies were treated conservatively with laparoscopic techniques. Fifteen cases (4.8%) required a subsequent laparotomy or second laparoscopic procedure because of retained trophoblastic tissue. Of 118 patients desiring subsequent pregnancy, 76 had an intrauterine pregnancy (64.4%) and 26 had a second ectopic pregnancy (22%). Eleven of 24 (45.8%) women attempting conception following conservative laparoscopic removal of an ectopic gestation from the sole remaining fallopian tube established an intrauterine pregnancy. In this same group, seven patients (29.2%) had a second ectopic pregnancy. The fertility results were also analyzed according to the previous history. The postoperative intrauterine pregnancy rate was 85.5% among 62 patients without a history of infertility (group I), compared with 41.1% among 56 patients with a history of infertility or a previous ectopic pregnancy (group II). The subsequent ectopic pregnancy rate in group I was 16.1% versus 28.6% in group II. This large series clearly demonstrates the relative safety and efficacy of conservative laparoscopic treatment of tubal pregnancies.     

Histology of proximal tubal obstruction in cases of unsuccessful tubal canalization

OBJECTIVE: To determine possible etiologies of unsuccessful fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization, we studied the histology of tubal segments in cases of failed canalization for proximal tubal obstruction. Factors contributing to cases of unsuccessful fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization remain unclear. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic. MATERIALS: Twenty-seven cornual and/or isthmic tubal segments from 15 patients who underwent proximal tubal surgery after fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization were studied. Specimens were prepared with hemotoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome stains. RESULTS: Histologic examination of excised cornual and isthmic tubal segments revealed abnormalities in 93% of specimens. Obliterative fibrosis (61%), chronic salpingitis (57%), and salpingitis isthmica nodosa (42%) were the most commonly found histologic tubal abnormalities. One case of complete tubal occlusion and tubal schistosomiasis was also detected. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that cases of failed fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization may be secondary to severe intrinsic tubal disease and tubal occlusion and not to the technique. Fluoroscopically guided tubal canalization may provide a means of differentiating a functional obstruction amenable to conservative management from true occlusion requiring management by microsurgical techniques or in vitro fertilization.     

Ectopic pregnancy following the treatment of tubal infertility.

To evaluate the prognosis for the patient who becomes pregnant after infertility treatment, we analyzed the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy following reconstructive surgery and in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET) for tubal infertility. The results of 474 microsurgical operations and the results of 2,119 stimulated IVF/ET cycles for tubal infertility in the Reproduction Unit of Ljubljana University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology are presented. The ratio of patients who subsequently had only ectopic pregnancies to the number of operations was 12%. Ectopic pregnancies represented 28% of all pregnancies after surgery. In IVF/ET cycles for tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy represented 2.8% of all pregnancies and 3 permiles of all transfers. There was one (0.5%) heterotopic pregnancy. The likelihood of live births (30%, one or more times) after surgery compensates the high risk for ectopic pregnancy. While the risk for ectopic pregnancy after IVF/ET is much lower than the risk after tubal surgery, it is still rather high compared with the risk in the normal population. In the cases with severe tubal lesions IVF/ET is preferable to tubal surgery. The results show the importance of considering ectopics when deciding upon treatment and in patients who become pregnant after treatment for tubal infertility.     

The etiology of ectopic pregnancy

The cause of ectopic pregnancy is associated with two major categories: the integrity of the oviduct and the quality of the fertilized ovum. Several conditions that alter the tubal transport system include inflammatory insults, intrauterine devices, surgical manipulation, tubal ligations, salpingitis isthmica nodusa, DES exposure, and induced abortions. Risk factors that may theoretically alter ovum quality or the hormonal environment include ovulation induction, fertilization in vitro, delayed ovulation, and transperitoneal ovum migration. As we continue to investigate the fallopian tube and the fertilized ovum as unique entities, our knowledge will increase about the cause of ectopic gestations.     

选择性输卵管造影和再通术1006例随访分析

目的 探讨选择性输卵管造影(SSG)和输卵管再通术(FTR)治疗不孕症的临床疗效和实用价值。方法 对1006例经子宫输卵管造影(HSG)检查诊断为输卵管不同部位、不同程度梗阻的不孕症患者,用自制同轴导管行SSG和FTR,统计1年内的妊娠率和输卵管通畅度治疗的有效率,并结合术前、术后HSG及术中输卵管动态观察结果进行综合分析。结果 输卵管腔完全梗阻315例,共601条输卵管(部分患者曾因各种原因行一侧输卵管切除,完全梗阻组),528条获管腔再通,再通率87．9%．其中35.4％(187条)仅行SSG即获再通,64．6％(341条)在SSG同时行FTR获再通。术后1年内妊娠率为39．9％,异位妊娠发生率2,7％,管腔再闭塞率1．8%;未获再通者中4例为结核性输卵管炎,3例结节性输卵管炎,9例阻塞于峡部,末端呈杵状改变,6例阻塞于壶腹部和伞部,10例输卵管纤维化。管腔不全梗阻691例(不全梗阻组),其中输卵管通而欠畅105例,通而不畅357例,通而极不畅229例,行SSG术后共发现65例术前HSG结果对伞部粘连的诊断有误。1年内妊娠率随访显示,输卵管通而欠畅者为53.6％,通而不畅者为45.7%,通而极不畅者为26,8％,异位妊娠发生率1．4％。术后1年行HSG复查,治疗有效率(管腔通畅度好转)86．9％。两组中经SSG诊断伞端粘连明显或周围包裹形成者共有16例,同时进行了腹腔镜治疗,其手术符合率97．1％。结论 SSG和FTR对输卵管性不孕具有诊断和治疗双重作用,且简便、安全,疗效可靠,值得临床推广。     

Tubal schistosomiasis as a cause of ectopic pregnancy in endemic areas?; a report of three cases.

Tubal schistosomiasis as a cause of ectopic pregnancy is uncommon. We are reporting three cases of tubal pregnancies in which the histopathological examination showed a bilharzial disease of the tube. Schistosomiasis to Schistosoma haematobium occurs in Gabon with an incidence of 8% to 44% of the adult population, and schistosoma ova have been found in 2.5% of histopathological examinations in removal of any genital tissue. Even if schistosomiasis was not the main causative agent of infertility, in this population which has the lowest fertility index in subsaharan Africa, it might impair an already altered tubal function by salpingitis. We suggest that parasitic examination should be made as a part of the management program of infertility and after an ectopic pregnancy in endemic areas.     

Results of microsurgical treatment of tubal infertility and early second-look laparoscopy in the post-pelvic inflammatory disease patient: implications for in vitro fertilization

Sixty-nine patients with tubal infertility secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease were surgically treated by one of three infertility surgeons, who used microsurgery for repair of the tubal pathologic condition and early second-look laparoscopy 6 to 30 days postoperatively for lysis of postoperative adhesions. No patient was included in this group whose disease was thought to have originated from endometriosis or prior abdominal surgery. The average follow-up time was 43.1 months (range 12 to 85.9). Nine patients were excluded from the analysis. Pregnancy outcome by procedure, expressed as the percentage of patients conceiving, was as follows: adhesiolysis, 69% (61% term, 8% ectopic); fimbrioplasty, 35% (25% term, 10% ectopic); salpingostomy, 30% (18% term, 12% ectopic); and cornual implantation, 60% (40% term, 20% ectopic). No added therapeutic value could be attributed to the use of early second-look laparoscopy. Given the relatively poor outcome of fimbrioplasty and salpingostomy, it may be prudent to advise patients with bilateral partial and/or total tubal occlusion against tuboplasty in favor of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.     

Falloposcopy. A microendoscopic transvaginal technique for diagnosing and treating endotubal disease incorporating guide wire cannulation and direct balloon tuboplasty

Direct visualization of the entire length of the fallopian tube lumen, from the uterotubal ostium to the fimbria, using a transvaginal approach, has been achieved. Small, flexible hysteroscopes with outside diameters (ODs) ranging from 3.3 to 4.5 mm and operating channel diameters of 1.5 to 1.8 mm were used to pass guide wires, over-the-wire catheters and a falloposcope with an OD of 0.5 mm safely along the fallopian tube lumen. Forty-three falloscopy procedures were performed. The normal falloposcopic appearance of the fimbrial, ampullary, isthmic and intramural tubal epithelium was characterized in eight cases. In 35 falloposcopies, endotubal lesions were found and characterized. They included 5 cases of intramural stenosis; 10 of isthmic stenosis; 5 of isthmic obstruction; 2 of salpingitis isthmica nodosa; 10 of nonobstructive endotubal disease from intraluminal adhesions, associated devascularization and epithelial atrophy in the intramural, isthmic and ampullary segments; 2 of hydrosalpinx; and 1 of an intratubal polyp. A technique of guide wire cannulation and balloon tuboplasty under hysteroscopic-falloposcopic-laparoscopic control was developed for attempting to dilate a stenotic tube, open up an obstruction or break down intraluminal adhesions. A combination of 32 guide wire cannulation and direct balloon tuboplasty (DBT) procedures was performed. Guide wire cannulation and DBT were effective in breaking down non-obstructive intraluminal adhesions in 6/10 cases (60%), dilating intramural or isthmic stenoses in 6/15 cases (40%) and negotiating an isthmic stricture secondary to salpingitis isthmica nodosa in 1/2 cases (50%). Those procedures failed to bypass complete fibrotic obstructions in 5/5 cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Primary microsurgery for postinflammatory tubal infertility

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a common cause of tubal infertility. The pregnancy outcomes in 161 patients who underwent primary microsurgical tuboplasty for postinflammatory tubal disease at the Mayo Clinic from 1977 through 1981 were evaluated. The outcome (3-year rate) was evaluated for each category of microsurgical procedures. The proximal anastomosis group had a conception rate of 71% (50% live births, 30% spontaneous abortions, 6% ectopic pregnancies). The terminal salpingoneostomy group, which accounted for the largest number of procedures, had a conception rate of 47% (32% live births, 12% spontaneous abortions, 11% ectopic pregnancies). Even after microsurgical tubal reconstruction, most women do not achieve a live birth. Pregnancy outcome is probably related to several factors reflecting the severity of pre-existing intrinsic damage. Prognostic factors that may better predict pregnancy outcome are discussed.     

An analysis of factors associated with ectopic pregnancy in a human in vitro fertilization program

Between 1980 and 1985, in Monash University in vitro fertilization (IVF) program, ectopic pregnancy occurred in 10 of 256 IVF pregnancies. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy between 1983 and 1984 was 4% of the total pregnancies, or 4.2% of pregnancies excluding biochemical pregnancies. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy was distributed equally across the infertility classifications (tubal, idiopathic, male factor, and mixed). There appeared to be no relationship between superovulatory methods, endocrine changes before egg recovery, laparoscopic procedures, embryo transfer procedures, and number of embryos transferred. Nine of the ten patients were classified as having either tubal factor infertility before IVF or chronic tubal inflammation, which probably existed at the time of embryo replacement. No ectopic pregnancies were recorded in the 33 pregnancies obtained with superovulation with the use of clomiphene citrate alone. We were unable to identify a major predisposing factor for ectopic pregnancy in IVF.