Understanding Endosalpingiosis [89

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Endosalpingiosis is ectopic tubal epithelium. The significance of this is not well understood as a result of the rarity and limited knowledge of the condition. It has been associated with varied diagnoses in the literature from chronic pelvic pain to malignancy. METHODS: We identified 32 cases of endosalpingiosis between 2006 and 2012. We reviewed different descriptive epidemiologic factors including, but not limited to, age, menstrual history, and associated malignancies in these cases. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were between the ages of 30 and 49 years and comprised of 52% of all patients with endosalpingiosis. Endosalpingiosis was found in almost all organs and surfaces of the abdomen and pelvis including the uterus, ovaries, lymph nodes, appendix, omentum, and the peritoneal surfaces but was most commonly seen on the uterus (17%, n=5), omentum (17%, n=5), and peritoneum (17%, n=5). Thirty-eight percent of the patients (n=11) had unexplained abdominal pain and 17% (n=5) had pain lasting between 6 and 12 months with one patient having pain for more than 12 months. Endosalpingiosis coexisted with endometriosis in 14% (n=4) of the patients. Ovarian cancer was seen in 44% (n=13) of the patients and four others had a borderline serous tumor of the ovary. Seven percent (n=2) of the patients had uterine cancer. CONCLUSION: Endosalpingiosis is a rare condition, which is most commonly seen in age groups of 30–49 years and could be a cause of abdominal pain. It affects all the organs in the abdomen and pelvis. Higher associations were found with ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and uterine cancer.