THE PATHOLOGY OF HYSTERECTOMY SPECIMENS FOLLOWING TRANS-CERVICAL RESECTION OF THE ENDOMETRIUM

The pathological findings in 29 hysterectomy specimens from a series o f 175 patients undergoing trans-cervical resection of the endometrium are presented, In all but one case endometrium was present, Although a ll phases of the normal menstrual cycle were represented, in nine (28% ) cases the endometrium appeared inactive, sometimes showing appearanc es similar to those in Asherman's syndrome, Adenomyosis was present in five (17%) cases and simple hyperplasia in one case, Haematocolpos wa s present in two cases. inflammation was uncommon, usually mild in deg ree and present in the superficial myometrium, Four (14%) cases contai ned epithelioid or foreign body granulomas in the superficial myometri um, Deposits of haemosiderin and amorphous brown and/or particulate bl ack pigment were seen in a total of 20 (69%) cases, A combination of t ransmission electronmicroscopy and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray s showed these pigments to be a combination of charred organic materia l and metals, the latter corresponding to the composition of the diath ermy cutting loop and electrocautery rollerball used in the ablative s urgery.