Does the fimbria have an embryologic origin distinct from that of the rest of the fallopian tube?
OBJECTIVE
To propose a new theory describing the development of the fallopian tube fimbria.


METHODS
Case series report.


METHODS
Metropolitan tertiary care children's hospital.


METHODS
Two girls, aged 12 and 20 years, who presented with pelvic pain.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging, laparoscopy with salpingectomy, and pathologic analysis.


METHODS
Description of a novel theory regarding the embryologic development of the fallopian tube and its fimbria.


RESULTS
In two non-sexually active girls the cause of their pelvic pain was found to be a hydrosalpinx associated with a discontinuous fallopian tube in which the fimbriated end did not directly communicate with the remainder of the fallopian tube.


CONCLUSIONS
The two cases of pure congenital fallopian tube atresia, the presence of fimbriae in patients with müllerian (uterine, cervical, and vaginal) agenesis, and the role of the fimbria in ovarian-like and peritoneal cancers, support a novel hypothesis that the fimbria of the fallopian tube may arise separately from the rest of the tube.
Garrett
Leslie A
LA
Department of Surgery, Division of Gynecology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Vargas
Sara O
SO
Drapkin
Ronny
R
Laufer
Marc R
MR
D002648:Child; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D038081:Organogenesis; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology; D014564:Urogenital Abnormalities / Q000150:complications* / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult