endocervical tunnel cluster

Tunnel cluster (TC) is a type of nabothian cyst characterized by complex multicystic dilatation of the endocervical glands.

Epidemiology

Tunnel cluster is found in ~8% of adult women, 40% of whom are pregnant, almost exclusively multigravid women, and older than 30 years.

Clinical presentation

They may occasionally cause mucoid discharge.

Pathology

A tunnel cluster is more likely the result of a stimulatory phenomenon occurring during pregnancy that can persist for a variable period. It is a benign pseudoneoplastic glandular lesion of the cervix and is usually comprised of a rounded aggregate of 20-50 closely packed tubules of varying sizes.

Subtypes

Tunnel clusters can be characterized as:

  • type A: non-cystic
  • type B: cystic - cystic endocervical tunnel cluster (CETC)

Treatment and prognosis

Tunnel clusters are supposed to be involutional in nature and are usually of no clinical significance .

History and etymology

They were first described by Fluhmann in 1961 .

Differential diagnosis

On imaging appearances consider:

Siehe auch: