Robert L. Faulkner

The blood vessels of the myomatous uterus

Abstract Employing anatomical methods which allow the direct inspection of the blood supply of the myomatous uterus, the distortions in the blood vessels of the uterus caused by these tumors and the intrinsic vessels of the tumors themselves were studied. The fact that most myomas are a mass of proliferating arteries and contain few or no veins within their substance is confirmed. No normal myoma has only one nutrient artery. The frequent arteriolar tufts seen in corrosion specimens are pointed out as evidence that a rich capillary bed probably exists, emptying toward the periphery of the tumor. No evidence of blood entering and leaving a myoma by arterial channels was found. Free arteriovenous anastomoses were encountered four times in sixty speciment but probably were tumors injured at operation. Even overinjection of arteries does not fill lymphatics in or around myomas.

Red degeneration of uterine myomas.

Abstract Red degeneration of uterine myomas is considered in the light of what is known of the blood vessels of the myoma. It seems clear that red degeneration is a hemorrhagic infarction of a previously hyalinized myoma. Venous obstruction which has to be at the periphery of the tumor is put forth as the vascular accident which best explains this pathologic entity. It is emphasized that the time the tumor is seen as related to the vascular accident governs the specific pathologic findings. In the nonpregnant uterus red myomas are usually 10 cm. or more in diameter before there are symptoms or signs enough to make their preoperative diagnosis very certain. Conservative medical treatment of the acute phases of red degeneration is feasible when the diagnosis is clear and in pregnancy highly desirable.

Adenoacanthoma of the Ovary

Summary Two instances of a rare, primary ovarian neoplasm, adenoacanthoma, have been reported. The various histogenetic possibilities regarding the origin of squamous elements in columnar epithelial carcinoma of the ovary have been discussed. It is suggested that the term adenoacanthoma be used in naming these peculiar ovarian carcinomas, in keeping with the use of this term in the designation of adenosquamous tumors elsewhere in the body.

Left-sided pelvic lesions subsequent to appendicitis

Abstract Two cases of chronic left tuboovarian abscess and one case of left tuboovarian inflammatory cyst are reported long subsequent to primary attacks of appendicitis. In young women appendicitis as a source of even left-sided pelvic lesions must be borne in mind.