A 24-year-old, sexually active woman has experienced lower abdominal pain for the past day. Her temperature is 37.9deg C, and on palpation, the left lower abdomen is markedly tender. Laboratory findings include a total WBC count of 29,000/mm3 with 75% segmented neutrophils, 6% bands, 14% lymphocytes, and 5% monocytes. Laparotomy reveals a distended, fluid-filled, reddened left fallopian tube that is about to rupture. A left salpingectomy is performed. Which of the following is most likely to be seen on microscopic examination of the excised fallopian tube?
Correct Answer: Liquefactive necrosis
Description: This patient is experiencing an acute inflammatory response, with edema, erythema, and pain of short duration. Neutrophils form an exudate and release various proteases, which can produce liquefactive necrosis, starting at the mucosa and extending through the wall of the tube. This mechanism results in perforation. Fibroblasts are more likely participants in chronic inflammatory responses and in healing responses, generally appearing more than 1 week after the initial event. Langhans giant cells are a feature of granulomatous inflammation. Mononuclear infiltrates are more typical of chronic inflammation of the fallopian tube, in which rupture is less likely. Epithelial metaplasia is most likely to occur in the setting of chronic irritation with inflammation.
Category:
Pathology
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