RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Diffuse decidual leucocytoclastic necrosis and NK cell aggregates: two distinct features of miscarriage JF Journal of Clinical Pathology JO J Clin Pathol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists SP 119 OP 124 DO 10.1136/jclinpath-2014-202470 VO 68 IS 2 A1 Joong Yeup Lee A1 Eun Na Kim A1 Joon-Seok Hong A1 Jae-Yoon Shim A1 Doyeong Hwang A1 Ki Chul Kim A1 JungBok Lee A1 Chong Jai Kim YR 2015 UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/68/2/119.abstract AB Aims Primary histopathology of miscarriage remains undetermined in the majority of cases. This study was conducted to determine histological characteristics pertinent to miscarriage. Methods The study groups were composed of elective abortions (n=29) and miscarriages (n=45) comprised of chromosomally normal (n=15) and abnormal cases (n=30). Immunohistochemistry was done against CD3, CD8, TIA-1 and CD56. Results Two histological features—diffuse decidual leucocytoclastic necrosis (DDLN) and decidual natural killer cell aggregates (NKCA)—were relatively common in miscarriages. The frequencies of DDLN and NKCA were different between the groups (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively). DDLN was found in 13.8% (4/29) of elective abortions, while it was observed in 60.0% (9/15) and 23.3% (7/30) of chromosomally normal and abnormal miscarriages, respectively. DDLN was more frequent in chromosomally normal miscarriages than in elective abortions (p=0.004). NKCA was present in 13.8% (4/29) of elective abortions, while being found in 33.3% (5/15) and 43.3% (13/30) of chromosomally normal and abnormal miscarriages, respectively. NKCA was more frequent in chromosomally abnormal miscarriages than in elective abortions (p=0.020). Conclusions The findings strongly suggest that defective placentation and abnormal maternal immune response are associated with miscarriage. DDLN and NKCA seem to have diagnostic values in the pathological evaluation of miscarriage.