Letter to the Editor

Lipofuscin-Iron Association in Pigmentosis Tubae ~~

To the editor Ultrastructural Pathology

Dear Sir: In their recent paper entitled "The Lipofuscin-

Iron Association in Pigmentosis Tubae" [l I , Muni- chor et al. reported on 2 cases of this uncommon and frequently overlooked entity. Collections of Ii- pofuscin-laden macrophages with iron were noted in the lamina propria of the fallopian tubes in these cases with the formation of polypoid projections (their Figure 1). These patients also had endome- triosis. The lipofuscin- and iron-containing bodies were shown to be residual bodies by electron mi- croscopy. They were autofluorescent and light brown, stained "strongly PAS-, Fontana-Masson-, and Ziehl-Nielsen-positive and stained focally for iron (Perk)." It was noted that the "origin of the excess iron is not clear."

Hamper1 [2] noted identical bodies in a variety of sites, often in the fallopian tube, with similar pol- ypoid projections (his Figure 2). Subsequently, So- be1 and Churg [3] and Sobel et al. [41 reported on these and similar lesions. They were identical in appearance and were composed of lipofuscin- laden and iron-containing residual bodies. They were also autofluorescent, light brown, and stained

strongly PAS-, PASM-, Alcian blue-, basic fuchsin-, and Ziehl-Nielsen-positive. The granules were uni- form, medium sized, and well defined. They were amphophilic on hematoxylin and eosin stain, re- vealed acid phosphatase activity, and polarizing material was often noted. Usually these lesions were located in or near smooth muscle and there was usually a history and stigmata of previous trauma (often surgery) or hemorrhage. It was their (our) opinion that these were residual bodies in sites of trauma. The iron is related to hemorrhage. There is very little really new in pathology.

Harold John Sobel, MD Wayne, New Jersey, USA

REFERENCES 1. Munichor M, Kerner H, Cohen H, lancu TC. The lipofuscin-

iron association in pigrnentosis tubae. Ultrastruct Pathol.

2. Hamper1 H. Uber fluorescierende Kornchenzellen ("Fluoro- cyten"). Virchow Arch [A]. 1950;318:32-47.

3. Sobel HJ, Churg J. Granular cells and granular cell lesions. Arch Pathol. 1964;77:46-55.

4. Sobel HJ, Avrin E, Marquet E, Schwarz R. Reactive granular cells in sites of trauma: a cytochernical and ultrastructural study. Am J Clin Pathol. 1974;61:223-234.

1997;21:273-280.

Ultrastructural Pathology, 21:605, 1997 605 Copyright 0 1997 Taylor & Francis

0191-3123/97 $12.00 + .OO

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