Difference between revisions of "Endometrium"
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The '''endometrium''' is typically biopsied because of abnormal bleeding. | The '''endometrium''' is typically biopsied because of abnormal bleeding. [[Endometrial hyperplasia]] and [[endometrial carcinoma]] are dealt with in separate articles. An overview of gynecologic pathology is in the ''[[gynecologic pathology]]'' article. | ||
==Indications for endometrial biopsy== | ==Indications for endometrial biopsy== | ||
Abnormal bleeding: | |||
* | *[[Abnormal uterine bleeding]] (AUB). | ||
* | **[[Dysfunctional uterine bleeding]], abbreviated ''DUB'', is diagnosed if other causes of bleeding are excluded. | ||
* | **''DUB'' may get a D&C if they fail medical management.<ref>URL: [http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/257007-treatment http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/257007-treatment]. Accessed on: 15 July 2010.</ref> | ||
** | **Post-menopausal bleeding. | ||
Other indications:<ref>{{Ref EMB|1}}</ref> | |||
*[[Products of conception]] - dealt with in a separate article. | |||
*Dating of endometrium - infertility work-up. | |||
===Endometrial thickness on ultrasound=== | |||
*A thin endometrium on ultrasound has a very low risk of malignancy.<ref name=pmid15283934>{{Cite journal | last1 = Gambacciani | first1 = M. | last2 = Monteleone | first2 = P. | last3 = Ciaponi | first3 = M. | last4 = Sacco | first4 = A. | last5 = Genazzani | first5 = AR. | title = Clinical usefulness of endometrial screening by ultrasound in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. | journal = Maturitas | volume = 48 | issue = 4 | pages = 421-4 | month = Aug | year = 2004 | doi = 10.1016/j.maturitas.2003.10.006 | PMID = 15283934 }}</ref> | |||
=Normal microscopic findings= | =Normal microscopic findings= | ||
Line 17: | Line 24: | ||
**This is 'cause the gynecologist scrapes some off on the way in or out. | **This is 'cause the gynecologist scrapes some off on the way in or out. | ||
=== | ==Glandular telescoping== | ||
====Endocervical==== | :[[AKA]] ''gland-within-a-gland''. | ||
:[[AKA]] ''gland intussusception''. | |||
:[[AKA]] ''telescoping''. | |||
*Considered an artifact of tissue processing, i.e. normal.<ref name=pmid16873562>{{Cite journal | last1 = McCluggage | first1 = WG. | title = My approach to the interpretation of endometrial biopsies and curettings. | journal = J Clin Pathol | volume = 59 | issue = 8 | pages = 801-12 | month = Aug | year = 2006 | doi = 10.1136/jcp.2005.029702 | PMID = 16873562 }}</ref> | |||
Image: | |||
*[http://jcp.bmjjournals.com/content/59/8/801/F3.large.jpg Telescoping (bmjjournals.com)].<ref name=pmid16873562/> | |||
==Endometrial gland compression artifact== | |||
:[[AKA]] ''compression artifact''. | |||
*Gland moulding. | |||
*Tearing of tissue around the compressed glands - '''key feature'''. | |||
*Usually at the edge of a tissue fragment. | |||
DDx: | |||
*Focal [[complex endometrial hyperplasia]]. | |||
===Image=== | |||
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1860448/figure/fig4/ Gland compression (bmjjournals.com)].<ref name=pmid16873562/> | |||
===Micro=== | |||
An increased gland density is seen focally, at the edge of one tissue fragment, in association with tearing of the stroma (compression artifact). | |||
===See also=== | |||
*[[Endometrial gland coiling]]. | |||
==Endocervical epithelium versus endometrial epithelium== | |||
===Table=== | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
! Feature | |||
! Endometrial | |||
! Endocervical | |||
! Tubal metaplasia | |||
|- | |||
| Cytoplasmic staining | |||
| usu. hyperchromatic +/-vacuoles | |||
| clear or light eosinophilic | |||
| hyperchromatic | |||
|- | |||
| [[Nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio]] | |||
| moderate to high (1:2) | |||
| low (often 1:3) | |||
| high (1:1) | |||
|- | |||
| Surface features | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| villi | |||
|- | |||
| Associated stroma | |||
| cellular, hyperchromatic | |||
| inflamed, less cellular | |||
| variable | |||
|} | |||
===List=== | |||
Endocervical: | |||
*Less hyperchromatic. | *Less hyperchromatic. | ||
*Nuclei round & small. | *Nuclei round & small. | ||
*Cell borders usually well-defined. | *Cell borders usually well-defined. | ||
Endometrial: | |||
*More hyperchromatic. | *More hyperchromatic. | ||
*Nuclei columnar. | *Nuclei columnar. | ||
==Tamoxifen effects | ===Images=== | ||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Endometrial and endocervical epithelium - low mag.jpg | Endocervical and endometrial epithelium - low mag. (WC) | |||
Image:Endometrial and endocervical epithelium - high mag.jpg | Endocervical and endometrial epithelium - high mag. (WC) | |||
</gallery> | |||
==Metaplasias of the endometrium== | |||
The big table of metaplasias - adapted from Nicolae ''et al.'':<ref name=pmid21126963>{{Cite journal | last1 = Nicolae | first1 = A. | last2 = Preda | first2 = O. | last3 = Nogales | first3 = FF. | title = Endometrial metaplasias and reactive changes: a spectrum of altered differentiation. | journal = J Clin Pathol | volume = 64 | issue = 2 | pages = 97-106 | month = Feb | year = 2011 | doi = 10.1136/jcp.2010.085555 | PMID = 21126963 }}</ref> | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
! Metaplasia | |||
! Subtypes | |||
! Microscopic | |||
! Notes | |||
! Risk of malignancy | |||
! Image | |||
|- | |||
| [[Endometrium with squamous morules|Morules]] | |||
| - | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| nearly always | |||
| [[Image:Squamous morule 2 - endometrium -- very high mag.jpg|150px|SM. (WC)]] | |||
|- | |||
| Ciliary | |||
| - | |||
| ciliated cells | |||
| usu. lumped together with ''tubal'', unopposed estrogen, [[endometriosis]] | |||
| frequent - [[endometrial hyperplasia]] (complex and simple), adenocarcinoma | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| Tubal | |||
| complex, simple | |||
| ciliated cells, secretory cell, intercallary cells | |||
| usu. lumped together with ''ciliary'', unopposed estrogen, seen in [[endometriosis]] | |||
| frequent (complex only) - [[endometrial hyperplasia]] (complex and simple), adenocarcinoma | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| Mucinous | |||
| complex, simple | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| frequent (complex only) | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| Squamous | |||
| - | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| rare | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| Papillary syncytial change (surface) | |||
| - | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| rare | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| Eosinophilic, oxyphilic, oncocytic | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| not known | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| Clear cell (secretory) | |||
| - | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| not reported | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
| Stromal metaplasia | |||
| osseous, cartilaginous, adipose, smooth muscle, myoid, sex-cord like | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| not reported | |||
| | |||
|} | |||
=Tamoxifen effects= | |||
*[[Endometrial hyperplasia]]. | *[[Endometrial hyperplasia]]. | ||
*Endometrial cancer. | *[[Endometrial cancer]]. | ||
*[[Endometrial polyps]]. | *[[Endometrial polyps]]. | ||
*Atrophy. | *[[Endometrial atrophy|Atrophy]]. | ||
=Inadequate endometrial biopsy= | |||
*Endometrial biopsies often have scant tissue. | |||
**This is normal in post-menopausal women. | |||
*Ideally, the biopsy should have some endometrial stroma. | |||
**Without stroma it is ''not'' possible to assess the gland-to-stroma ratio. | |||
==Sign out== | |||
===No stroma=== | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- VERY SCANT STRIPPED NON-PROLIFERATIVE COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM, PROBABLY FROM THE LOWER UTERINE SEGMENT. | |||
- NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIAL STROMA, SEE COMMENT. | |||
- STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM AND ENODOCERVICAL MUCOSA WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. | |||
- MUCOUS. | |||
COMMENT: | |||
A re-biopsy should be considered within the clinical context. | |||
</pre> | |||
=A simple approach= | <pre> | ||
==Low power== | ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | ||
#Decide whether you | - VERY SCANT STRIPPED EPITHELIUM PROBABLY FROM THE LOWER UTERINE SEGMENT. | ||
# | - NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIAL STROMA. | ||
- SCANT STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. | |||
- SMALL FRAGMENTS OF DETACHED BENIGN SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM. | |||
COMMENT: | |||
A re-biopsy should be considered within the clinical context. | |||
</pre> | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- FRAGMENTS OF DETACHED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM AND DETACHED NON-PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS. | |||
- ASSESSMENT LIMITED AS VERY SCANT ENDOMETRIAL STROMA IS PRESENT. | |||
</pre> | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- ENDOMETRIUM: STRIPS OF EPITHELIUM, NON-PROLIFERATIVE. | |||
- ENDOCERVIX: SCANT BENIGN EPITHELIUM. | |||
- EXOCERVIX: SCANT BENIGN EPITHELIUM. | |||
- OTHER: TUBAL METAPLASIA. | |||
</pre> | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- STRIPS OF NON-PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIUM. | |||
- SCANT BENIGN ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM. | |||
- SCANT BENIGN SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM. | |||
- TUBAL METAPLASIA. | |||
</pre> | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- STRIPS OF BENIGN ENDOMETRIAL EPITHELIUM/TUBAL METAPLASIA, NON-PROLIFERATIVE. | |||
- SCANT BENIGN ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM. | |||
- RARE SQUAMOUS METAPLASTIC CELLS. | |||
</pre> | |||
===Proliferative without definite stroma=== | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- FRAGMENTS OF DETACHED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM, ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM AND FOCALLY PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS. | |||
- ASSESSMENT LIMITED AS NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIAL STROMA IS PRESENT. | |||
</pre> | |||
===Possible endometrium - insufficient=== | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, ASPIRATION: | |||
- ONE MINUTE STRIP OF POSSIBLE NONPROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL EPITHELIUM, INSUFFICIENT | |||
FOR ADEQUATE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT. | |||
- VERY SCANT BENIGN STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM. | |||
- VERY SCANT METAPLASTIC SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM. | |||
COMMENT: | |||
Re-biopsy is advised. | |||
</pre> | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- BENIGN STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM AND BENIGN INFLAMED ENDOCERVICAL MUCOSA. | |||
- NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIUM WITH STROMA, INADEQUATE SPECIMEN. | |||
</pre> | |||
===No endometrium=== | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- SPECIMEN INADEQUATE; NO ENDOMETRIUM IDENTIFIED. | |||
- ONE VERY TINY FRAGMENT OF ENDOCERVICAL MUCOSA WITHOUT APPARENT PATHOLOGY. | |||
</pre> | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- ENDOCERVICAL MUCOSA AND STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. | |||
- MICROGLANDULAR HYPERPLASIA AND FOCAL SQUAMOUS METAPLASIA. | |||
- NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIUM IDENTIFIED, SUGGEST RE-BIOPSY. | |||
</pre> | |||
===No tissue=== | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- NO TISSUE IDENTIFIED ON MICROSCOPY. | |||
</pre> | |||
=Overview= | |||
==A simple approach== | |||
===Low power=== | |||
#Decide whether you are looking at endometrium. | |||
#Is the gland-to-stroma ratio normal? | |||
#*1:3 is normal. | #*1:3 is normal. | ||
#*If gland-to-stroma ratio is increased... think ''[[endometrial hyperplasia]]''. | #*If the gland-to-stroma ratio is increased... think ''[[complex endometrial hyperplasia]]''. | ||
#*If glands are fused to one another or [[cribriform]]... think ''[[endometrial carcinoma]]''. | #*If the glands are fused to one another or [[cribriform]]... think ''[[endometrial carcinoma]]''. | ||
#Glands round? | #Glands round? | ||
#*Round is normal. | #*Round is normal. | ||
#*Irregular - may be seen in menses, | #*Irregular - may be seen in [[secretory phase endometrium]], menses, [[disordered proliferative endometrium]] (focal), [[simple endometrial hyperplasia]] (diffuse). | ||
#Glands pseudostratified? | #Glands pseudostratified? | ||
#*Pseudostratified glands are normal in the proliferative phase, hyperplasias, malignancy. | #*Pseudostratified glands are normal in the [[proliferative phase endometrium]], hyperplasias, malignancy. | ||
#Balls of cells? | #Balls of cells? | ||
#*Blue - likely menstrual (stromal condensation). | #*Blue - likely menstrual (stromal condensation). | ||
#*Pink - consider leiomyoma, squamous morules (associated with endometrial hyperplasia). | #*Pink - consider [[uterine leiomyoma|leiomyoma]], squamous morules (associated with [[endometrial hyperplasia]], [[endometrioid endometrial carcinoma]], may be benign). | ||
==High power== | ===High power=== | ||
#Mitoses present in the glands? | #Mitoses present in the glands? | ||
#*Present in the proliferative phase, hyperplasias, malignancies. | #*Present in the proliferative phase, hyperplasias, malignancies. | ||
Line 58: | Line 307: | ||
#*Some are normal during menses. | #*Some are normal during menses. | ||
= | ==Tabular summary== | ||
= | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
! Diagnosis | |||
! Key feature (low power) | |||
! Additional features | |||
! DDx | |||
! Other | |||
! Image | |||
|- | |||
| [[Proliferative phase endometrium]] | |||
| round spaced pseudostratified glands | |||
| mitoses in glands and stroma | |||
| [[disordered proliferative phase]], [[simple endometrial hyperplasia]], [[complex endometrial hyperplasia]], early [[secretory phase endometrium]] | |||
| normal | |||
| [[Image:Proliferative endometrium - very high mag.jpg|thumb|150px|center|Proliferative endometrium. (WC)]] | |||
|- | |||
| [[Secretory phase endometrium]] | |||
| irregular glands with secretions ''or'' simple glands with vacuoles | |||
| decidual changes (nucleus central, eosinophilic cytoplasm, well-defined cell borders) | |||
| [[endometrial hyperplasia with secretory changes]], late [[proliferative phase endometrium]] | |||
| normal | |||
| [[Image:Secretory phase endometrium -- high mag.jpg|thumb|120px|center|Secretory phase endometrium. (WC)]] | |||
|- | |||
| [[Menstrual endometrium]] | |||
| stromal condensation | |||
| nonproliferative glands, stromal/epithelial neutrophils, glandular cell apoptosis | |||
| [[disordered proliferative phase]] | |||
| normal | |||
| Image | |||
|- | |||
| [[Benign endometrial polyp]] | |||
| fibrous stroma, muscular blood vessels | |||
| polypoid shape (epithelium on 3 sides), +/-gland dilation | |||
| [[disordered proliferative endometrium]] (DPE), [[simple endometrial hyperplasia]] (SEH) | |||
| DPE and SEH do ''not'' occur in polyps | |||
| [[Image:Benign endometrial polyp -- low mag.jpg|thumb|150px|center|Benign endometrial polyp. (WC)]] | |||
|- | |||
| [[Endometrium with changes due to exogenous hormones]] | |||
| decidualized stroma (nucleus central, eosinophilic cytoplasm, well-defined cell borders) | |||
| inactive glands (round/ovoid glands, simple cuboidal epithelium, no mitoses) | |||
| [[secretory phase endometrium]], [[endometrial hyperplasia with secretory changes]] | |||
| variant of normal | |||
| [[Image:Endometrium with hormone effect -- high mag.jpg|thumb|150px|center|Endometrium with changes due to exogenous hormones. (WC)]] | |||
|- | |||
| [[Atrophic endometrium]] | |||
| nonproliferative glands | |||
| no nuclear atypia, often without appreciable stroma | |||
| [[serous endometrial carcinoma]] | |||
| normal postmenopausal finding | |||
| [[Image:Nonproliferative endometrial epithelium - alt -- high mag.jpg|thumb|150px|center|Inactive endometrium. (WC)]] | |||
|- | |||
| [[Disordered proliferative endometrium]] | |||
| proliferative focally dilated & irregular glands (usu. with tubal metaplasia) | |||
| no nuclear atypia, +/-evidence of shedding (stromal condensation) | |||
| [[simple endometrial hyperplasia]], [[proliferative phase endometrium]] | |||
| can be thought of a [[waffle diagnosis]] | |||
| [[Image:Disordered proliferative endometrium -- low mag.jpg|thumb|150px|center|Disordered proliferative endometrium. (WC)]] | |||
|- <!-- | |||
| Diagnosis | |||
| Key feature | |||
| Additional features | |||
| DDx | |||
| Other | |||
| Image --> | |||
|} | |||
=Normal endometrium= | |||
==Proliferative phase endometrium== | |||
{{Main|Proliferative phase endometrium}} | |||
==Secretory phase== | ==Secretory phase endometrium== | ||
{{Main|Secretory phase endometrium}} | |||
==Menstrual endometrium== | |||
===General=== | |||
* | *Technically part of the ''proliferative phase'' or ''follicular phase''. | ||
===Microscopic=== | |||
Features: | |||
* | *Proliferative endometrium (mitoses).<ref name=Ref_DCHH237>{{Ref DCHH|237}}</ref> | ||
* | *Apoptotic cells common.<ref name=pmid8744416>{{Cite journal | last1 = Spencer | first1 = SJ. | last2 = Cataldo | first2 = NA. | last3 = Jaffe | first3 = RB. | title = Apoptosis in the human female reproductive tract. | journal = Obstet Gynecol Surv | volume = 51 | issue = 5 | pages = 314-23 | month = May | year = 1996 | doi = | PMID = 8744416 }}</ref> | ||
*** | *Tightly packed cellular balls of stromal cells with nuclear moulding. | ||
** | **Known as "blue balls". | ||
* | **Tightly packed cellular stromal cells known as "stromal condensation". | ||
*Inflammation, especially abundant [[neutrophil]]s. | |||
DDx: | |||
* | *[[Small cell carcinoma]] - proliferative activity in the moulded (stromal condensation-like) cells. | ||
* | *[[Anovulatory endometrium]] - less neutrophils. | ||
====Images==== | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Endometrial_stromal_condensation_high_mag.jpg | Endometrial stromal condensation - high mag. (WC/Nephron) | |||
</gallery> | |||
www: | |||
*[http://www.gfmer.ch/selected_images_v2/detail_list.php?cat1=5&cat2=26&cat3=0&cat4=3&stype=n Menstrual endometrium - several images (gfmer.ch)]. | |||
*[http://www.hsc.stonybrook.edu/gyn-atlas/UT3415B.htm Menstrual phase endometrium (stonybrook.edu)]. | |||
===Sign out=== | |||
<pre> | |||
Endometrium, Biopsy: | |||
- Consistent with menstrual endometrium. | |||
-- Weakly proliferative endometrial glands with apoptosis, fragmented. | |||
-- Abundant balls of condensed non-proliferative endometrial stroma and blood. | |||
</pre> | |||
= | ====Block letters==== | ||
== | <pre> | ||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- CONSISTENT WITH MENSTRUAL ENDOMETRIUM: | |||
-- STRIPPED WEAKLY PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS. | |||
-- BALLS OF CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA. | |||
-- ABUNDANT NEUTROPHILS AND BLOOD. | |||
</pre> | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- CONSISTENT WITH MENSTRUAL PHASE ENDOMETRIUM: | |||
-- WEAKLY PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS WITH NEUTROPHILS AND APOPTOSIS. | |||
-- BALLS OF CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA. | |||
-- BLOOD. | |||
</pre> | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- VERY WEAKLY PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS WITH NEUTROPHILS AND APOPTOSIS. | |||
- BALLS OF CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA AND BLOOD. | |||
- NEGATIVE FOR HYPERPLASIA AND NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY. | |||
</pre> | |||
====Consistent with menstrual endometrium==== | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, ASPIRATION: | |||
- CONSISTENT WITH MENSTRUAL ENDOMETRIUM (FRAGMENTED ENDOMETRIUM WITH PSEUDOSTRATIFIED | |||
GLANDS WITH APOPTOTIC CELLS, ABUNDANT NEUTROPHILS, CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA | |||
AND BLOOD). | |||
- NEGATIVE FOR HYPERPLASIA AND NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY. | |||
</pre> | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, ASPIRATION: | |||
- CONSISTENT WITH MENSTRUAL ENDOMETRIUM (FRAGMENTED ENDOMETRIUM WITH SIMPLE | |||
GLANDS WITH APOPTOTIC CELLS, ABUNDANT NEUTROPHILS, CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA | |||
(FOCAL) AND BLOOD). | |||
- NEGATIVE FOR HYPERPLASIA AND NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY. | |||
</pre> | |||
====Late menses==== | |||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, ASPIRATION: | |||
- ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS WITH APOPTOTIC CELLS, INFILTRATING NEUTROPHILS, | |||
AND GLANDULAR PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY. | |||
- BALLS OF CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA. | |||
- SCANT STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. | |||
- NEGATIVE FOR HYPERPLASIA. | |||
COMMENT: | |||
The findings are most in keeping with late menstrual endometrium. | |||
</pre> | |||
=Specific entities/abnormalities= | |||
==Adipose tissue on endometrial biopsy== | |||
*[[AKA]] ''fat on endometrial biopsy''. | |||
===General=== | ===General=== | ||
* | *Benign. | ||
* | *Raises the possibility of perforation - should prompt a phone call to the clinician. | ||
===Microscopic=== | ===Microscopic=== | ||
Features: | Features: | ||
*Adipose tissue, benign - '''key finding'''. | |||
*Definite endometrium. | |||
DDx: | |||
*Extraneous tissue. | |||
**[[Tissue floater]]. | |||
**Pick-up. | |||
====Images==== | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image: Endometrium and adipose tissue - alt -- intermed mag.jpg | EMB with fat - intermed. mag. | |||
Image: Endometrium and adipose tissue -- intermed mag.jpg | EMB with fat - intermed. mag. | |||
Image: Endometrium and adipose tissue -- high mag.jpg | EMB with fat - high mag. | |||
</gallery> | |||
== | ===Sign out=== | ||
<pre> | |||
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: | |||
- BENIGN ADIPOSE TISSUE, SEE COMMENT. | |||
- PROLIFERATIVE PHASE ENDOMETRIUM. | |||
COMMENT: | |||
The presence of adipose tissue raises the possibility of perforation. | |||
The findings were briefly discussed with Dr. Brown on November 6, 2009. | |||
</pre> | |||
==Arias-Stella reaction== | |||
* | {{Main|Arias-Stella reaction}} | ||
*Benign atypical endometrial changes associated with chorionic tissue -- may be seen in a completely normal pregnancy and misdiagnosed as a malignancy.<ref name=pmid11756756>{{Cite journal | last1 = Arias-Stella | first1 = J. | title = The Arias-Stella reaction: facts and fancies four decades after. | journal = Adv Anat Pathol | volume = 9 | issue = 1 | pages = 12-23 | month = Jan | year = 2002 | doi = | PMID = 11756756 }}</ref> | |||
==Endometritis== | |||
{{Main|Endometritis}} | |||
==Benign endometrial polyp== | |||
{{Main|Benign endometrial polyp}} | |||
== | ==Anovulatory endometrium== | ||
{{Main|Anovulatory endometrium}} | |||
== | ==Disordered proliferative endometrium== | ||
*Abbreviated ''DPE''. | |||
* | *[[AKA]] ''endometrium with disordered proliferative phase''. | ||
* | *[[AKA]] ''disordered proliferative phase''. | ||
{{Main|Disordered proliferative endometrium}} | |||
* | |||
==Endometrium with changes due to exogenous hormones== | |||
{{Main|Endometrium with changes due to exogenous hormones}} | |||
==Atrophic endometrium== | ==Atrophic endometrium== | ||
*[[AKA]] ''atrophy of the endometrium''. | |||
* | *[[AKA]] ''endometrial atrophy''. | ||
* | {{Main|Inactive endometrium}} | ||
==Ablated endometrium== | |||
{{Main|Ablated endometrium}} | |||
=== | ==Endometrium with squamous morules== | ||
{{Main|Endometrium with squamous morules}} | |||
==Endometrium with psammoma bodies== | |||
{{Main|Endometrium with psammoma bodies}} | |||
==Endometrial hyperplasia== | ==Endometrial hyperplasia== | ||
Line 229: | Line 555: | ||
*[[Uterine tumours]]. | *[[Uterine tumours]]. | ||
*[[Gynecologic pathology]]. | *[[Gynecologic pathology]]. | ||
*[[Psammoma bodies]]. | |||
=References= | =References= | ||
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[[Category:Endometrium]] |
Latest revision as of 14:37, 2 March 2017
The endometrium is typically biopsied because of abnormal bleeding. Endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma are dealt with in separate articles. An overview of gynecologic pathology is in the gynecologic pathology article.
Indications for endometrial biopsy
Abnormal bleeding:
- Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB).
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, abbreviated DUB, is diagnosed if other causes of bleeding are excluded.
- DUB may get a D&C if they fail medical management.[1]
- Post-menopausal bleeding.
Other indications:[2]
- Products of conception - dealt with in a separate article.
- Dating of endometrium - infertility work-up.
Endometrial thickness on ultrasound
- A thin endometrium on ultrasound has a very low risk of malignancy.[3]
Normal microscopic findings
Endometrium - consists of:
- Epithelium (endometrial glands).
- Stroma (endometrial stroma).
In endometrial biopsies:
- Endocervical glands are commonly seen, as is endocervical mucous.
- This is 'cause the gynecologist scrapes some off on the way in or out.
Glandular telescoping
- Considered an artifact of tissue processing, i.e. normal.[4]
Image:
Endometrial gland compression artifact
- AKA compression artifact.
- Gland moulding.
- Tearing of tissue around the compressed glands - key feature.
- Usually at the edge of a tissue fragment.
DDx:
Image
Micro
An increased gland density is seen focally, at the edge of one tissue fragment, in association with tearing of the stroma (compression artifact).
See also
Endocervical epithelium versus endometrial epithelium
Table
Feature | Endometrial | Endocervical | Tubal metaplasia |
---|---|---|---|
Cytoplasmic staining | usu. hyperchromatic +/-vacuoles | clear or light eosinophilic | hyperchromatic |
Nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio | moderate to high (1:2) | low (often 1:3) | high (1:1) |
Surface features | villi | ||
Associated stroma | cellular, hyperchromatic | inflamed, less cellular | variable |
List
Endocervical:
- Less hyperchromatic.
- Nuclei round & small.
- Cell borders usually well-defined.
Endometrial:
- More hyperchromatic.
- Nuclei columnar.
Images
Metaplasias of the endometrium
The big table of metaplasias - adapted from Nicolae et al.:[5]
Metaplasia | Subtypes | Microscopic | Notes | Risk of malignancy | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morules | - | nearly always | |||
Ciliary | - | ciliated cells | usu. lumped together with tubal, unopposed estrogen, endometriosis | frequent - endometrial hyperplasia (complex and simple), adenocarcinoma | |
Tubal | complex, simple | ciliated cells, secretory cell, intercallary cells | usu. lumped together with ciliary, unopposed estrogen, seen in endometriosis | frequent (complex only) - endometrial hyperplasia (complex and simple), adenocarcinoma | |
Mucinous | complex, simple | frequent (complex only) | |||
Squamous | - | rare | |||
Papillary syncytial change (surface) | - | rare | |||
Eosinophilic, oxyphilic, oncocytic | not known | ||||
Clear cell (secretory) | - | not reported | |||
Stromal metaplasia | osseous, cartilaginous, adipose, smooth muscle, myoid, sex-cord like | not reported |
Tamoxifen effects
Inadequate endometrial biopsy
- Endometrial biopsies often have scant tissue.
- This is normal in post-menopausal women.
- Ideally, the biopsy should have some endometrial stroma.
- Without stroma it is not possible to assess the gland-to-stroma ratio.
Sign out
No stroma
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - VERY SCANT STRIPPED NON-PROLIFERATIVE COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM, PROBABLY FROM THE LOWER UTERINE SEGMENT. - NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIAL STROMA, SEE COMMENT. - STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM AND ENODOCERVICAL MUCOSA WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. - MUCOUS. COMMENT: A re-biopsy should be considered within the clinical context.
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - VERY SCANT STRIPPED EPITHELIUM PROBABLY FROM THE LOWER UTERINE SEGMENT. - NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIAL STROMA. - SCANT STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. - SMALL FRAGMENTS OF DETACHED BENIGN SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM. COMMENT: A re-biopsy should be considered within the clinical context.
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - FRAGMENTS OF DETACHED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM AND DETACHED NON-PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS. - ASSESSMENT LIMITED AS VERY SCANT ENDOMETRIAL STROMA IS PRESENT.
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - ENDOMETRIUM: STRIPS OF EPITHELIUM, NON-PROLIFERATIVE. - ENDOCERVIX: SCANT BENIGN EPITHELIUM. - EXOCERVIX: SCANT BENIGN EPITHELIUM. - OTHER: TUBAL METAPLASIA.
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - STRIPS OF NON-PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIUM. - SCANT BENIGN ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM. - SCANT BENIGN SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM. - TUBAL METAPLASIA.
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - STRIPS OF BENIGN ENDOMETRIAL EPITHELIUM/TUBAL METAPLASIA, NON-PROLIFERATIVE. - SCANT BENIGN ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM. - RARE SQUAMOUS METAPLASTIC CELLS.
Proliferative without definite stroma
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - FRAGMENTS OF DETACHED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM, ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM AND FOCALLY PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS. - ASSESSMENT LIMITED AS NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIAL STROMA IS PRESENT.
Possible endometrium - insufficient
ENDOMETRIUM, ASPIRATION: - ONE MINUTE STRIP OF POSSIBLE NONPROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL EPITHELIUM, INSUFFICIENT FOR ADEQUATE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT. - VERY SCANT BENIGN STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM. - VERY SCANT METAPLASTIC SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM. COMMENT: Re-biopsy is advised.
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - BENIGN STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM AND BENIGN INFLAMED ENDOCERVICAL MUCOSA. - NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIUM WITH STROMA, INADEQUATE SPECIMEN.
No endometrium
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - SPECIMEN INADEQUATE; NO ENDOMETRIUM IDENTIFIED. - ONE VERY TINY FRAGMENT OF ENDOCERVICAL MUCOSA WITHOUT APPARENT PATHOLOGY.
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - ENDOCERVICAL MUCOSA AND STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. - MICROGLANDULAR HYPERPLASIA AND FOCAL SQUAMOUS METAPLASIA. - NO DEFINITE ENDOMETRIUM IDENTIFIED, SUGGEST RE-BIOPSY.
No tissue
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - NO TISSUE IDENTIFIED ON MICROSCOPY.
Overview
A simple approach
Low power
- Decide whether you are looking at endometrium.
- Is the gland-to-stroma ratio normal?
- 1:3 is normal.
- If the gland-to-stroma ratio is increased... think complex endometrial hyperplasia.
- If the glands are fused to one another or cribriform... think endometrial carcinoma.
- Glands round?
- Round is normal.
- Irregular - may be seen in secretory phase endometrium, menses, disordered proliferative endometrium (focal), simple endometrial hyperplasia (diffuse).
- Glands pseudostratified?
- Pseudostratified glands are normal in the proliferative phase endometrium, hyperplasias, malignancy.
- Balls of cells?
- Blue - likely menstrual (stromal condensation).
- Pink - consider leiomyoma, squamous morules (associated with endometrial hyperplasia, endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, may be benign).
High power
- Mitoses present in the glands?
- Present in the proliferative phase, hyperplasias, malignancies.
- Mitoses present in the stroma?
- Present in the proliferative phase, hyperplasias, malignancies.
- Mucous present in the glands?
- Present in the secretory phase.
- Inflammatory cells present?
- Some are normal during menses.
Tabular summary
Diagnosis | Key feature (low power) | Additional features | DDx | Other | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Proliferative phase endometrium | round spaced pseudostratified glands | mitoses in glands and stroma | disordered proliferative phase, simple endometrial hyperplasia, complex endometrial hyperplasia, early secretory phase endometrium | normal | |
Secretory phase endometrium | irregular glands with secretions or simple glands with vacuoles | decidual changes (nucleus central, eosinophilic cytoplasm, well-defined cell borders) | endometrial hyperplasia with secretory changes, late proliferative phase endometrium | normal | |
Menstrual endometrium | stromal condensation | nonproliferative glands, stromal/epithelial neutrophils, glandular cell apoptosis | disordered proliferative phase | normal | Image |
Benign endometrial polyp | fibrous stroma, muscular blood vessels | polypoid shape (epithelium on 3 sides), +/-gland dilation | disordered proliferative endometrium (DPE), simple endometrial hyperplasia (SEH) | DPE and SEH do not occur in polyps | |
Endometrium with changes due to exogenous hormones | decidualized stroma (nucleus central, eosinophilic cytoplasm, well-defined cell borders) | inactive glands (round/ovoid glands, simple cuboidal epithelium, no mitoses) | secretory phase endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia with secretory changes | variant of normal | |
Atrophic endometrium | nonproliferative glands | no nuclear atypia, often without appreciable stroma | serous endometrial carcinoma | normal postmenopausal finding | |
Disordered proliferative endometrium | proliferative focally dilated & irregular glands (usu. with tubal metaplasia) | no nuclear atypia, +/-evidence of shedding (stromal condensation) | simple endometrial hyperplasia, proliferative phase endometrium | can be thought of a waffle diagnosis |
Normal endometrium
Proliferative phase endometrium
Secretory phase endometrium
Menstrual endometrium
General
- Technically part of the proliferative phase or follicular phase.
Microscopic
Features:
- Proliferative endometrium (mitoses).[6]
- Apoptotic cells common.[7]
- Tightly packed cellular balls of stromal cells with nuclear moulding.
- Known as "blue balls".
- Tightly packed cellular stromal cells known as "stromal condensation".
- Inflammation, especially abundant neutrophils.
DDx:
- Small cell carcinoma - proliferative activity in the moulded (stromal condensation-like) cells.
- Anovulatory endometrium - less neutrophils.
Images
www:
Sign out
Endometrium, Biopsy: - Consistent with menstrual endometrium. -- Weakly proliferative endometrial glands with apoptosis, fragmented. -- Abundant balls of condensed non-proliferative endometrial stroma and blood.
Block letters
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - CONSISTENT WITH MENSTRUAL ENDOMETRIUM: -- STRIPPED WEAKLY PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS. -- BALLS OF CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA. -- ABUNDANT NEUTROPHILS AND BLOOD.
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - CONSISTENT WITH MENSTRUAL PHASE ENDOMETRIUM: -- WEAKLY PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS WITH NEUTROPHILS AND APOPTOSIS. -- BALLS OF CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA. -- BLOOD.
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - VERY WEAKLY PROLIFERATIVE ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS WITH NEUTROPHILS AND APOPTOSIS. - BALLS OF CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA AND BLOOD. - NEGATIVE FOR HYPERPLASIA AND NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY.
Consistent with menstrual endometrium
ENDOMETRIUM, ASPIRATION: - CONSISTENT WITH MENSTRUAL ENDOMETRIUM (FRAGMENTED ENDOMETRIUM WITH PSEUDOSTRATIFIED GLANDS WITH APOPTOTIC CELLS, ABUNDANT NEUTROPHILS, CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA AND BLOOD). - NEGATIVE FOR HYPERPLASIA AND NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY.
ENDOMETRIUM, ASPIRATION: - CONSISTENT WITH MENSTRUAL ENDOMETRIUM (FRAGMENTED ENDOMETRIUM WITH SIMPLE GLANDS WITH APOPTOTIC CELLS, ABUNDANT NEUTROPHILS, CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA (FOCAL) AND BLOOD). - NEGATIVE FOR HYPERPLASIA AND NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY.
Late menses
ENDOMETRIUM, ASPIRATION: - ENDOMETRIAL GLANDS WITH APOPTOTIC CELLS, INFILTRATING NEUTROPHILS, AND GLANDULAR PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY. - BALLS OF CONDENSED ENDOMETRIAL STROMA. - SCANT STRIPPED ENDOCERVICAL EPITHELIUM WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS. - NEGATIVE FOR HYPERPLASIA. COMMENT: The findings are most in keeping with late menstrual endometrium.
Specific entities/abnormalities
Adipose tissue on endometrial biopsy
- AKA fat on endometrial biopsy.
General
- Benign.
- Raises the possibility of perforation - should prompt a phone call to the clinician.
Microscopic
Features:
- Adipose tissue, benign - key finding.
- Definite endometrium.
DDx:
- Extraneous tissue.
- Tissue floater.
- Pick-up.
Images
Sign out
ENDOMETRIUM, BIOPSY: - BENIGN ADIPOSE TISSUE, SEE COMMENT. - PROLIFERATIVE PHASE ENDOMETRIUM. COMMENT: The presence of adipose tissue raises the possibility of perforation. The findings were briefly discussed with Dr. Brown on November 6, 2009.
Arias-Stella reaction
- Benign atypical endometrial changes associated with chorionic tissue -- may be seen in a completely normal pregnancy and misdiagnosed as a malignancy.[8]
Endometritis
Benign endometrial polyp
Anovulatory endometrium
Disordered proliferative endometrium
- Abbreviated DPE.
- AKA endometrium with disordered proliferative phase.
- AKA disordered proliferative phase.
Endometrium with changes due to exogenous hormones
Atrophic endometrium
Ablated endometrium
Endometrium with squamous morules
Endometrium with psammoma bodies
Endometrial hyperplasia
Can be thought of as a precursor lesion for endometrial carcinoma.
It comes in two main flavours:
- Simple.
- Complex.
Each flavour may or may not have nuclear atypia.
Endometrial carcinoma
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy (in the USA).[9]
See also
References
- ↑ URL: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/257007-treatment. Accessed on: 15 July 2010.
- ↑ Mazur, Michael T.; Kurman, Robert J. (2005). Diagnosis of Endometrial Biopsies and Curettings: A Practical Approach (2nd ed.). Springer. pp. 1. ISBN 978-0387986159.
- ↑ Gambacciani, M.; Monteleone, P.; Ciaponi, M.; Sacco, A.; Genazzani, AR. (Aug 2004). "Clinical usefulness of endometrial screening by ultrasound in asymptomatic postmenopausal women.". Maturitas 48 (4): 421-4. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2003.10.006. PMID 15283934.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 McCluggage, WG. (Aug 2006). "My approach to the interpretation of endometrial biopsies and curettings.". J Clin Pathol 59 (8): 801-12. doi:10.1136/jcp.2005.029702. PMID 16873562.
- ↑ Nicolae, A.; Preda, O.; Nogales, FF. (Feb 2011). "Endometrial metaplasias and reactive changes: a spectrum of altered differentiation.". J Clin Pathol 64 (2): 97-106. doi:10.1136/jcp.2010.085555. PMID 21126963.
- ↑ Tadrous, Paul.J. Diagnostic Criteria Handbook in Histopathology: A Surgical Pathology Vade Mecum (1st ed.). Wiley. pp. 237. ISBN 978-0470519035.
- ↑ Spencer, SJ.; Cataldo, NA.; Jaffe, RB. (May 1996). "Apoptosis in the human female reproductive tract.". Obstet Gynecol Surv 51 (5): 314-23. PMID 8744416.
- ↑ Arias-Stella, J. (Jan 2002). "The Arias-Stella reaction: facts and fancies four decades after.". Adv Anat Pathol 9 (1): 12-23. PMID 11756756.
- ↑ Lu KH (April 2009). "Management of early-stage endometrial cancer". Semin. Oncol. 36 (2): 137–44. doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2008.12.005. PMID 19332248.