May 18, 2010

Hematosalpinx

Fig.1: Sagittal US image of the pelvis of a 13-year-old girl presenting with acute pelvic pain shows multiple cystic lesions (arrows) behind the uterus (U). These cystic structures have peculiar frondlike structures internally suggesting that they represent a dilated fallopian tube.
Fig. 2: Sagittal T2W MR image confirms the presence of dilated fallopian tube with fluid-fluid levels, suggesting hematosalpinx.

Facts: What Causes Hematosalpinx?
  • Tubal pregnancy (most common)
  • Endometriosis
  • Fallopian tube cancer
  • Obstructed vagina resulting in menstrual blood backflow into fallopian tubes
Facts: Isolated Tubal Torsion
  • Very rare entity causing lower abdominal pain
  • Usually occurs in reproductive age
  • Diagnosis rarely made preoperatively
  • Imaging findings are adnexal cystic mass, hydrosalpinx, hematosalpinx
  • Twisted fallopian tube, if visualized, is a specific sign for tubal torsion. If the ovary is also torsed, the ipsilateral ovary becomes enlarged.
Our case: isolated fallopian tube torsion causing hematosalpinx.

Reference:
1. Park BK, Kim CK, Kim B. Isolated tubal torsion: specific signs on preoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Acta Radiologica 2008;49:233-235.
2. Wikipedia: hematosalpinx

No comments:

Post a Comment