CEROID GRANULOMAS IN THE FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM

Three cases of ceroid granulomas of the female genital system are pres ented, involving the cervix in two and lesions in the ovaries and bowe l serosa in the other. Ceroid granulomas are unusual and interesting l esions formed when suitable substrates accumulate within macrophages t o such an extent that a relative lack of biological antioxidants resul ts and auto-oxidation and conversion to ceroid is favoured. This may o ccur in the setting of haemorrhage and necrosis, whether fi om tumour necrosis or associated with endometriosis. Other sources of lipids and lipoproteins include bile, meconium and vernix caseosa.