A 23-year-old woman has borderline clinical features of PID. An endometrial biopsy is performed and reported as showing scattered plasma cells within the endometrial stroma, with neutrophils inside glandular epithelium. How should this result be interpreted?
- A It indicates chronic endometriosis of the uterine cavity
- B It confirms histological endometritis and supports a diagnosis of PID ✓
- C It is a normal cyclical finding in the secretory phase
- D It establishes a specific diagnosis of genital tuberculosis
Correct answer: B. It confirms histological endometritis and supports a diagnosis of PID
Explanation
Plasma cells in the endometrial stroma are the histopathological hallmark of chronic endometritis, because plasma cells are not normally present in cycling endometrium, and their presence is an accepted supportive criterion for PID. Secretory-phase endometrium contains decidualised stromal cells and leukocytes but not true plasma cells. Caseating granulomas would be needed for tuberculosis, and endometriosis is diagnosed by ectopic endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus.
Reference: Williams Gynecology, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.