Hematosalpinx is a medical condition involving bleeding into the fallopian tubes.

Causes

A number of causes may account for a hematosalpinx, by far the most common being a tubal pregnancy. Blood may also escape into the peritoneal cavity leading to a hemoperitoneum

Hemoperitoneum

Hemoperitoneum is the presence of blood in the peritoneal cavity. The blood accumulates in the space between the inner lining of the abdominal wall and the internal abdominal organs. Hemoperitoneum is generally classified as a surgical emergency; in most cases, urgent laparotomy is needed to...

.
A hematosalpinx can also be associated with endometriosis

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones...

 or tubal carcinoma. Further, if menstrual blood flow is obstructed (cryptomenorrhea

Cryptomenorrhea

Cryptomenorrhea or cryptomenorrhoea, also known as hematocolpos, is a condition where menstruation occurs but is not visible due to an obstruction of the outflow tract. Specifically the endometrium is shed, but a congenital obstruction such as a vaginal septum or on part of the hymen retains the...

),caused for instance by a transverse vaginal septum, and gets backed up it may lead to a hematosalpinx.

Symptoms

A hematosalpinx from a tubal pregnancy may be associated with pelvic pain and uterine bleeding. A gynecologic ultrasound will show the hematosalpinx. A hematosalpinx from other conditions may be painless but could lead to uterine bleeding.

See also

• Hydrosalpinx
  Hydrosalpinx
  A hydrosalpinx is a distally blocked fallopian tube filled with serous or clear fluid. The blocked tube may become substantially distended giving the tube a characteristic sausage-like or retort-like shape. The condition is often bilateral and the affected tubes may reach several centimeters in...