Chronic endometritis: morphologic and clinical observations

The histologic and clinical manifestations of chronic endometritis were reviewed in 99 women. The morphologic features found to be of value in diagnosing this condition were superficial stromal edema, increased stromal density, and pleomorphic stromal inflammatory infiltrate dominated by lymphocytes in the absence of premenstrual changes or any other significant pathologic endometrial lesions. When these changes were present, a plasma cell infiltrate was invariably found. Clinically, the major presenting complaint was vaginal bleeding in 94% of the patients. No correlation was found between the presenting clinical complaint and either the extent of the lesion or the number of plasma cells in the leukocyte infiltrate. On follow-up, the lesion appeared to be eradicated by biopsy or curettage in approximately 80% of the patients. The major predisposing conditions were found to be intrauterine leiomyomas and a recent endometrial biopsy or curettage. The limitations of the plasma cells criterion for recognition of the lesion are discussed.