Path Image
Polygonal cells with increased eosinophilic cytoplasm are seen in the tubal stroma.
IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS

The tubal stroma beneath the epithelium shows increased eosinophilic cytoplasm indicative of decidual change.

The decidualized cells are better visualized on higher power -- note their polygonal shape and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm.

BACKGROUND

The fallopian tube stroma undergoes decidualization in 5-12% of intrauterine pregnancies and up to 80% of tubal pregnancies.1 Microscopically, one sees polygonal cells with abundant pink cytoplasm with prominent cell borders. The nuclei are uniform, bland and ovoid/round.

CLINICAL

Seen most often in those undergoing tubal ligation after delivery and rarely, and in women receiving progestin therapy.

RELATED DIAGNOSES

Endometrium : Arias-Stella Reaction

REFERENCES

1 Nucci MR, Oliva Esther. Gynecologic Pathology: Foundations in Diagnostic Pathology. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier: 2009: 331-2.

Last updated: 2010-10-21
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