Diagnostic Clues To Ectopic Pregnancy
Diagnostic Clues To Ectopic Pregnancy
Diagnostic Clues To Ectopic Pregnancy
Abstract
Ectopic pregnancy accounts for approximately 2% of all pregnancies and is the most
common cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the first trimester. Initial evaluation
consists of hormonal assays and pelvic ultrasonography (US). A history of pelvic pain
along with an abnormal beta human chorionic gonadotropin level should trigger an
evaluation for an ectopic pregnancy. The fallopian tube is the most common location
for an ectopic pregnancy. An adnexal mass that is separate from the ovary and the
tubal ring sign are the most common findings of a tubal pregnancy. Other types of
ectopic pregnancy include interstitial, cornual, ovarian, cervical, scar, intraabdominal,
and heterotopic pregnancy. Interstitial pregnancy occurs when the gestational sac
implants in the myometrial segment of the fallopian tube. Cornual pregnancy refers to
the implantation of a blastocyst within the cornua of a bicornuate or septate uterus. An
ovarian pregnancy occurs when an ovum is fertilized and is retained within the ovary.
Cervical pregnancy results from an implantation within the endocervical canal. In a
scar pregnancy, implantation takes place within the scar of a prior cesarean section. In
an intraabdominal pregnancy, implantation occurs within the intraperitoneal cavity.
Heterotopic pregnancy occurs when an intrauterine and an extrauterine pregnancy
occur simultaneously. A spectrum of intra- and extrauterine findings may be seen on
US images. Although many of the US findings are nonspecific by themselves, when
several of them are seen, the specificity of US in depicting an ectopic pregnancy
substantially improves.
Abstract
It is advisable to do the non-invasive diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy precociously,
before there is the tube rupture, combining for that the transvaginal ultrasonography
with the dosage of the b-fraction of the chorionic gonadotrophin. A range of treatment
options may be used. Either a surgical intervention or a clinical treatment may be
taken into consideration. Laparotomy is indicated in cases of hemodynamic
instability. Laparoscopy is the preferential route for the treatment of tube pregnancy.
Salpingectomy should be performed in patients having the desired number of
children, while salpingostomy should be indicated in patients willing to have more
children, when the b-hCG titers are under 5,000 mUI/mL and the surgical conditions
are favorable. The use of methotrexate (MTX) is a consecrated clinical procedure and
should be indicated as the first option of treatment. The main criteria for MTX
indication are hemodynamic stability, b-hCG <5,000 mUI/mL, anexial mass <3,5 cm,
and no alive embryo. It is preferable a single intramuscular dose of 50 mg/m(2),
because it is easier, more practical and with less side effects. Protocol with multiple
doses should be restricted for the cases with atypical localization (interstitial, cervical,
caesarean section scar and ovarian) with values of b-hCG >5,000 mUI/mL and no
alive embryo. Indication for local treatment with an injection of MTX (1 mg/kg)
guided by transvaginal ultrasonography should occur in cases of alive embryos, but
with an atypical localization. An expectant conduct should be indicated in cases of
decrease in the b-hCG titers within 48 hours before the treatment, and when the initial
titers are under 1,500 mUI/mL. There are controversies between salpingectomy and
salpingostomy, concerning the reproductive future. Till we reach an agreement in the
literature, the advice to patients who are looking forward to a future gestation, is to
choose either surgical or clinical conservative conducts.
Comment in:
Abstract