Histological and chemical study of 26 cases of copper I.U.D. users
Chiarelli, S.M.; Terribile Wiel Marin, V.; Rossetto, M.; Marchetti, M.
Pathologica 78(1053): 35-50
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-2983 PMID: 3822556 Document Number: 268445
A morphologic and chemical study had been performed on 26 women.sbd.following their informed consent.sbd.to evaluate late alterations induced in the endometrium by copper intra-uterine devices. The women's age ranged from 20 to 47 years; the device had been in place about 2 years (range 18-30 months). As the I.U.D. was removed and endometrial biopsy performed, the material adherent to the I.U.D. was smeared for cytological study and the biopsy processed for histology and then utilized for copper dosage. Histological alterations include: micro-papillary endometrial surface (18/26), maturation delay with prolonged proliferative phase and deficient progestinic phase (8/13 in lutheal phase), gland atrophy with abundant stroma (11/26), an altered and increased vascularization (15/26), superficial (13/26) and diffuse (12/26) mild phlogosis. Copper dosage gave a mean value of 563.85 ppm (range 157-2011 ppm), representing a significant increase related to controls (7 cases: mean value 167.29 ppm Cu.sbd.range 54-311). Results are compared with the data of the literature.