Salpingitis in ovarian endometriosis

A histologic study of 87 cases of ovarian endometriosis with salpingectomy revealed 29 cases (33%) in which the removed fallopian tubes showed chronic salpingitis. Tubal obstruction could be demonstrated in only one of these patients. Tubo-ovarian adhesions were found in 15 patients (17%) and in only 7 of these in association with salpingitis. Although the patients in the present series did not consult their physicians because of infertility, but rather for other symptoms related to pelvic endometriosis, the finding of chronic salpingitis in 33% of the cases suggests that salpingitis may play a role in the infertility associated with endometriosis, possibly through altered tubal secretion.