title: The pathology of hysterectomy specimens following trans-cervical resection of the endometrium.
abstract: The pathological findings in 29 hysterectomy specimens from a series of 175 patients undergoing trans-cervical resection of the endometrium are presented. In all but one case endometrium was present. Although all phases of the normal menstrual cycle were represented, in nine (28%) cases the endometrium appeared inactive, sometimes showing appearances similar to those in Asherman's syndrome. Adenomyosis was present in five (17%) cases and simple hyperplasia in one case. Haematocolpos was present in two cases. Inflammation was uncommon, usually mild in degree and present in the superficial myometrium. Four (14%) cases contained epithelioid or foreign body granulomas in the superficial myometrium. Deposits of haemosiderin and amorphous brown and/or particulate black pigment were seen in a total of 20 (69%) cases. A combination of transmission electronmicroscopy and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays showed these pigments to be a combination of charred organic material and metals, the latter corresponding to the composition of the diathermy cutting loop and electrocautery rollerball used in the ablative surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: McCulloch
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barik
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000473:pathology; D006485:Hemosiderin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008264:Macrophages / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008670:Metals; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010858:Pigmentation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D006485:Hemosiderin