ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE MICROVASCULATURE IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIAL HYPERPLASIA

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the effect of hyperplasia on c ell-to-cell communication in the microvasculature of the human endomet rium. STUDY DESIGN: Ten biopsy specimens of simple and complex hyperpl asia of the human endometrium were investigated by electron microscopy . RESULTS: The microvasculature of the hyperplastic endometrium shows morphologic disorder. The extracellular matrix is altered, and cell de ath is widespread. Intercellular contact is infrequent or absent. CONC LUSIONS: These results are in marked contrast to the ultrastructure of the normal microvasculature. The complex cell-to-cell interaction obs erved in normal tissue appears lost. This report, combined with others , indicates that cell-to-cell contact is sparse in hyperplastic endome trium.