Melanosis tubae: histogenesis and appropriate terminology.

We report 2 cases of abnormal localized deposition of lipofuscin-laden macrophages in the lamina propria of the fallopian tube. In both cases there was evidence of ovarian and tubal endometriosis. The authors propose the term "melanosis tubae" (MT) as the most appropriate terminology in the diagnosis of the disease, whose pathogenesis is similar to that occurring in gastrointestinal tract pigmented conditions. The lesion is not of an inflammatory nature so that the term "pseudoxanthomatous salpingitis" is inaccurate and should not be used. Other definitions such as "pseudoxanthomatous salpingiosis," "pigmentosis salpingiosis," "pigmentosis tubae" may be used, but these are descriptive terms that are not suitable for denoting histogenesis. None of the previously reported MT cases showed coexisting tubal endometriosis. Our cases are the first examples of MT associated with tubal endometriosis.