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Pyosalpinx
Etiology:

secondary to bacterial infection usually Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria Gonorrhae when sexually transmitted or
staphylococci, streptoccoci, or coliforms
organisms reach fallopian tube by ascending through cervix and across endometrium
Pathogenesis:

suppurative acute inflammatory response to organisms within the fallopian tube
may occur rapidly following vaginal inoculation with organism (3-5 days in experimental models)
may be facilitated by estrogen
fusion of the end of the tube results in purulent accumulation within the dilated tube
Epidemiology:

part of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (P.I.D.) which may be
sexually transmitted disease or
follow delivery, abortion, instrumentation, or IUD placement
disease of reproductive age women
General Gross Description:

enlarged fallopian tube with hyperemic external surface which may show serositis
lumen filled with pus
General Microscopic Description:

acute inflammatory infiltrate within the lumen and involving epithelium of the tube
Clinical Correlations:

uterine tenderness and pain accompanying vaginal discharge
systemic symptoms of fever and malaise may be accompanied by leukocytosis
treatment with antibiotics
risk of infertility pronounced with development of pyosalpinx
References:
• Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th edition. W.B. Saunders Philadelphia 1994. pp. 1039