Increased microvessel density in adenomyosis uteri

Objective: To investigate microvessel density in adenomyosis compared to the endometrium in patients with adenomyosis and in normal controls. Design: Uterine paraffin-embedded histologic specimens were immunostained for CD34. The area with the highest microvessel density in adenomyosis and in the endometrium was evaluated. All microvessels in a specific field of view (X200 magnification) were counted. Setting: The Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and the Institute of Clinical Pathology, Depart ment of Gynecopathology, in an university hospital. Patient(s): Specimens of 53 patients with adenomyosis, who had undergone hysterectomy. Endometrial specimens of 17 women without uterine pathology were investigated as normal controls. Main Outcome Measure(s): Microvessel density in adenomyosis and in the endometrium. Result(s): The mean microvessel density was significantly higher in adenomyosis than in the endometrium of the same patients (33.5 +/- 14.6 vs. 19.5 +/- 12.5 microvessels/field; P<.001 sign test). No significant difference between the endometrium of patients and of normal controls was observed (P=.805). Conclusion(s): Adenomyosis exhibits angiogenic properties. However, the endometrium of patients with adenomyosis is not more prone to express angiogenic activity compared to the endometrium of normal controls. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.