Endometritis

Endometritis refers to inflammation of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. Pathologists have traditionally classified endometritis as either acute or chronic: acute endometritis is characterized by the presence of microabscesses or neutrophils within the endometrial glands, while chronic endometritis is distinguished by variable numbers of plasma cells within the endometrial stroma. The most common cause of endometritis is infection. Symptoms include lower abdominal pain, fever and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge. Caesarean section, prolonged rupture of membranes and long labor with multiple vaginal examinations are important risk factors. Treatment is usually with broad-spectrum antibiotics.

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Acute Endometritis

Acute Endometritis is characterized by infection. The most causative agents are staph aureus and Streptococcus. The most common causes of infection are believed to be because of compromised abortions, delivery, medial instrumentation, and retention of placental fragments. Histologically, neutrophilic infiltration of the endometrial tissue is present during acute endometritis. The clinical presentation is typically high fever and purulent vaginal discharge. Menstruation after acute endometritis is excessive and in uncomplicated cases can resolve after 2 weeks with antibiotic treatment.

Chronic Endometritis

Chronic Endometritis is characterized by the presence of plasma cells in the stroma. The most common causes are chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), tuberculosis, and chlamydia. Patients suffering from chronic endometritis often have an underlying cancer of the cervix or endometrium. Chronic granulomatous endometritis is most often tuberculous in etiology. The granulomas are small, sparse, and without caseation. The granulomas take up to 2 weeks to develop and since the endometrium is shed every 4 weeks, the granulomas are poorly formed. In human medicine pyometra (also a veterinary condition of significance) is regarded as a form of chronic endometritis seen in elderly women causing stenosis of the cervical os and accumulation of discharges and infection. Symptom in chronic endometritis is blood stained discharge but in pyometra the patient complaints of lower abdominal pain.

Pyometra

Pyometra, in medicine, is an accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity. This condition is very well known in veterinary medicine. Please see Pyometra in dogs.

References

• Pathology Board Review Series, 3rd edition
• Stedman's Medical Dictionary
• Robbins Basic Pathology 7th edition