N63

FALLOPIAN TUBE - Ectopic pregnancy

Description
This is a Fallopian tube showing distension of the distal two-thirds up to 2.5 cm. in diameter. The cut surface of the extended areas shows organising blood clot, but no foetal parts are visible.
History
The woman, at the age of 25, was admitted to hospital with lower abdominal pain; her last normal menstrual period had been some eight weeks before, with an episode of bleeding for some two-to-three weeks a month before admission. Following the period of bleeding she was seen in another hospital and an intrauterine contraceptive device removed. On the day of the present admission she gave a four-day history of vaginal bleeding, and a one-day history of lower abdominal pain of acute onset, with runs of spasmodic pain. At laparotomy approximately 500 ml. of blood was found in the abdominal cavity, and the tube was removed.