Salpingitis isthmica nodosa

Last revised by Joshua Yap on 10 May 2023

Salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN), sometimes also referred to as perisalpingitis isthmica nodosa or diverticulosis of the fallopian tube, refers to nodular scarring of the fallopian tubes. In very early stages, the tubes may appear almost normal. As scarring and nodularity progress, the changes become more radiographically apparent.

Salpingitis isthmica nodosa, as the name implies, is irregular benign extensions of the tubal epithelium into the myosalpinx mainly at the isthmic/proximal portion. It is associated with reactive hypertrophy and sometimes inflammation.

  • the etiology of salpingitis isthmica nodosa has remained a matter of controversy since its first description

  • the prevailing theories include inflammatory (salpingitis), congenital, and more recently acquired (but not post-inflammatory) etiologies

It can involve the entire fallopian tube, but more often involves the isthmic segment of the fallopian tube. It is bilateral in ~85% of patients 7.

Histologically, nodular thickening of the muscularis layer of the fallopian tube with outpouchings of the overgrown epithelium into the tubal wall can be seen, forming inclusion cysts or diverticula 7.

An accurate radiographic diagnosis is important due to its high association with infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

A characteristic finding is multiple nodular diverticular spaces involving the fallopian tubes, usually involving the proximal two-thirds of the fallopian tubes.

Hysterosalpingography of the nodular area with severe salpingitis isthmica nodosa shows several pockets (diverticula) containing the introduced contrast material 5.

It is observed that no dominant channel is seen as the contrast flows through the tube. This means there appears to be no direct pathway for sperm to travel which increases the chances of tubal pregnancy.

Treatment can be considered with recanalization procedures either using a catheter guided by interventional radiology or by endoscopic surgery.

The term is derived from salpingitis for inflammation of the salpinx (tube), isthmica for the involvement of the proximal isthmic portion of fallopian tube, and nodosa for its nodular appearance. It was first described on histopathology in 1887.

Considerations include:

  • tubal tuberculosis 6

    • often multiple constrictions can form along the course of the fallopian tube due to scarring, and give rise to a "beaded" appearance of the tubes on hysterosalpingography

    • can also have adnexal calcification

  • endometriosis

  • tubal adenomyosis

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