Beads on a string sign (chronic salpingitis)

Last revised by Joshua Yap on 6 Oct 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Carroll D, Yap J, Knipe H, Beads on a string sign (chronic salpingitis). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-64258

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-64258

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/64258

rID:

64258

Article created:

13 Nov 2018, David Carroll ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created David Carroll had no recorded disclosures.

View David Carroll's current disclosures

Last revised:

6 Oct 2022, Joshua Yap ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Joshua Yap had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Joshua Yap's current disclosures

Revisions:

3 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Gynaecology

Sections:

Signs

Tags:

pocus, ultrasound, pelvis, refs, cases

The beads on a string sign is used to refer to the classic ultrasound morphologic changes of the fallopian tubes as a result of chronic salpingitis.

Chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the involved salpinx results in fimbrial or ostial occlusion; lack of outflow results in fluid accumulation, leading to tubal distension and progressive mural distension and effacement. The endosalpingeal folds are also involved, flattening and eventually fibrosing. These fibrotic, irregular structures appear as 2-3 mm mural nodules protruding into the tubal lumen ¹.

Radiographic features

Ultrasound

The ultrasound finding of a distended, thin-walled tubular salpinx with 2-3 mm hyperechoic mural nodules protruding at irregular intervals into a fluid-filled lumen is highly suggestive of chronic salpingitis ².