Ultrasound diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in the non-communicating horn of a unicornuate uterus (cornual pregnancy)

Subserosal pregnancy: Systematic review with proposal of new diagnostic criteria and ectopic pregnancy classification

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a pregnancy where the growing blastocyst implants outside the endometrial cavity. EP account approximately for 0.5-1% of all pregnancies, and extrauterine implant is the leading cause of woman mortality in the first trimester of gestation. Non-tubal pregnancies (NTP) account for less than 5% of all EP. NTP are accompanied by a 7-8 times higher risk of maternal mortality when compared to tubal pregnancies, and their treatment might sometimes be very challenging. Subserosal pregnancy (SP) has been defined as rare variant of intramural pregnancy, where a portion of the gestational sac was surrounded only by the serosa of the uterus. Whereas the treatment of the ectopic pregnancies is crucial for patients' lives and for adequate fertility sparing and considering the need for surgical treatment in many cases, an early diagnosis is important; thus we believe it g might be useful to define some criteria to guide subserosal pregnancy identification, and to distinguish it from other types of non-tubal ectopic pregnancy. A systematic review on Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar was performed. Case reports, randomized controlled trials, prospective controlled studies, prospective cohort studies, retrospective studies, and case series were considered eligible. In all databases mentioned were considered manuscripts published from 1990 up to March 2023. Only four articles were eligible for inclusion in this review. All patients underwent to surgical management in laparoscopy. The main risk factors for this type of ectopic pregnancy were previous uterine surgery with opening of the endometrial cavity and assisted reproductive techniques procedures. Considering our results, we propose new classification and diagnostic criteria for subserosal pregnancy, to distinguish it from other types of non-tubal ectopic pregnancies with the aim to preserve fertility following the most correct management.

Interstitial ectopic pregnancy successfully treated with methotrexate

An ectopic pregnancy (EP) occurs when the fertilised ovum implants outside the endometrial cavity. An EP has an incidence of 1%, with the majority occurring in the fallopian tube. It has a maternal mortality of 0.2 per 1000, with about two-thirds of these deaths associated with substandard care. An interstitial pregnancy occurs when the EP implants in the interstitial part of the fallopian tube. An interstitial ectopic pregnancy (IEP) shows few early clinical symptoms, hence it is associated with serious or fatal bleeding and a mortality rate up to 2.5%. With the advent of transvaginal ultrasound scan (TV USS), correlated with serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG) assay, earlier diagnosis of an EP can be established. An EP is often diagnosed in women who are trying to conceive; therefore, the prognosis of future fertility is one of the main concerns associated with this diagnosis. Management can be surgical, expectant or medical with methotrexate (MTX). However, the best approach is tailored to the woman's individual case. The authors present the case of a primigravida woman presenting with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding at 6 weeks gestation following assisted reproduction. Her BHCG showed a suboptimal rise. Her TV USS showed no evidence of an intrauterine pregnancy. There was no evidence of an adnexal mass or free fluid. As her BHCG remained static, she underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy. A right sided IEP was identified. Due to the high risk of bleeding requiring transfusion or hysterectomy and her desire to preserve her fertility, she received medical management with MTX. Indeed, research has shown that women successfully managed expectantly achieve better reproductive outcomes, with the shortest time to achieve a subsequent intrauterine pregnancy. This case acts as a cautionary reminder of the challenges associated with identifying an IEP on TV USS. A high index of clinical suspicion is required to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality.

Reproductive outcome in 326 women with unicornuate uterus

OBJECTIVES

To study the reproductive outcomes of women with a unicornuate uterus and compare them to those of women with no congenital uterine anomaly.

METHODS

This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. Cases were women aged at least 16 years who were diagnosed with a unicornuate uterus on transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound between January 2008 and September 2021. Controls were women with no congenital uterine anomaly matched 1:1 by age and body mass index. The primary outcome was live-birth rate. Secondary outcomes were pregnancy loss (miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination of pregnancy), preterm delivery, mode of delivery and concomitant gynecological abnormalities (endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids).

RESULTS

Included in the study were 326 cases and 326 controls. Women with a unicornuate uterus had a significantly lower live-birth rate (184/388 (47.4%) vs 229/396 (57.8%); P = 0.004) and higher rates of overall miscarriage (178/424 (42.0%) vs 155/465 (33.3%); adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.21 (95% CI, 1.42-3.42), P < 0.001), ectopic pregnancy (26/424 (6.1%) vs 11/465 (2.4%); aOR, 2.52 (95% CI, 1.22-5.22), P = 0.01), preterm delivery (45/184 (24.5%) vs 17/229 (7.4%); aOR, 3.04 (95% CI, 1.52-5.97), P = 0.001) and Cesarean delivery (116/184 (63.0%) vs 70/229 (30.6%); aOR, 2.54 (95% CI, 1.67-3.88), P < 0.001). Rudimentary-horn pregnancies accounted for 7/26 (26.9%) ectopic pregnancies in the study group. Women with a unicornuate uterus were more likely to have endometriosis (17.5% vs 10.7%; P = 0.018) and adenomyosis (26.7% vs 15.6%; P = 0.001), but were not more likely to have fibroids compared with controls. Women with a functional rudimentary horn were more likely to have pelvic endometriosis compared to those without (odds ratio, 2.4 (95% CI, 1.4-4.1), P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women with a unicornuate uterus should be classified as high risk. Removal of a functional rudimentary horn should be discussed with the patient to prevent a rudimentary-horn ectopic pregnancy. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Pregnancy in a rudimentary horn: multicenter's MRI features of a rare condition

PURPOSE

To describe the MRI features of rudimentary horn pregnancy (RHP) with surgical correlations.

METHODS

Nine women with a RHP underwent preoperative pelvic MRI. MRI protocol included T2- (n = 9), T1- (n = 7), and fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences (n = 4). Two pelvic radiologists retrospectively analyzed MR images to assess the following MRI features: presence of a myometrium around the gestational sac (GS) and characteristics of its wall, GS surrounded by myometrium in contact with the round ligament, communication of the GS with the endometrial cavity of the main horn, continuity of the GS with the cervix, fibrous or muscular GS attachment to the main horn, lateral deviation, and endometrial thickness of the main horn. Ovaries and tubes were also assessed. MRI features were correlated with surgical findings.

RESULTS

Seven of the nine women [29 ± 6 SD years (range 16-37 years)] underwent surgical management. The first US diagnosed RHP in only 1/9 patients. All pregnancies were diagnosed using MRI. RHP was all located in the rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus. All the GS was surrounded by myometrium in contact with the round ligament. None of the RHP displayed communication with the endometrial cavity of the main horn nor with the cervix. An attachment between the RHP and the main horn was seen in 3/9 patients. All the main horns were lateralized and empty.

CONCLUSION

MRI diagnosed RHP in all patients by identifying the GS surrounded by myometrium in contact with the round ligament and the absence of continuity between the GS and the cervix.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV-retrospective study.

Successful Management of a Noncommunicating Rudimentary Uterine Horn Pregnancy by Laparoscopic Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review

Pregnancy in a noncommunicating rudimentary horn is extremely rare but can cause serious clinical complications, such as uterine rupture. The standard treatment is excision of the rudimentary horn, and recently, in some cases, laparoscopic resection has been performed in the first trimester of gestation. Herein, we present a case of noncommunicating rudimentary horn pregnancy (NCRHP), which was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging at 6 weeks of gestation and treated by laparoscopic surgery. However, we have also found some rare cases in which patients could obtain live newborn babies. Since management is affected by the different levels of obstetric medical care and diagnostic tools, we also performed a review and analysis of NCRHP. A PubMed search yielded 103 cases reported in the English literature. Correct diagnosis and laparoscopic treatment were achieved more frequently in developed countries, especially in the first trimester of gestation. On the other hand, symptoms, including abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock, tended to occur in the second trimester of gestation. This period was also found to be a risk factor for uterine rupture. Among 18 patients at the third trimester of gestation, 13 obtained live neonatal infants. Therefore, detailed information about this disease is crucial for proper treatments.

Successful diagnosis and management of prerupture rudimentary horn pregnancy in the second trimester: a case report

Rudimentary horn pregnancy has concerns due to the high incidence of an extreme risk of a life-threatening rupture. Thus, early diagnosis and management are essential to preserving the patient's life. We present a successful diagnosis and management of a prerupture rudimentary horn pregnancy in a 24-year-old woman presented with chronic pelvic pain and amenorrhea for the last 3 months. On physical examination, she had a mobile, nontender mass equals 16 weeks of gestation. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed an empty uterus with signs of a decidual reaction and a gestational sac adjacent to the uterus and surrounded by less than a 2 mm-in-thickness muscular wall with a positive fetal heart rate. The gestational age was 16 weeks based on biparietal diameter and femur length. Based on these findings rudimentary horn pregnancy was suspected. Laparotomy was performed, unicornuate uterus with unruptured, left rudimentary horn pregnancy was observed, and the pregnant horn with the ipsilateral tube was excised. To conclude, an empty uterus and extrauterine gestational sac surrounded by a thin muscular wall (<2 mm) on ultrasound should raise the suspicion of rudimentary horn pregnancy.

Diagnosis and Management of Ectopic Pregnancy: A Comparative Review of Major National Guidelines

Importance

Ectopic pregnancies (EPs) represent a severe early pregnancy complication that is associated with increased risks of maternal morbidity and mortality. Over the years, there has been a significant reduction in the mortality from this complication by improving the diagnostic tools and the treatment options.

Objective

The aim of this study was to review and compare the recommendations from published guidelines on this potentially fatal condition.

Evidence Acquisition

A descriptive review of guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on EP was carried out.

Results

All the guidelines point out the crucial role of sonography in the prompt diagnosis of EP and describe similar sonographic findings. There is a consensus on the indications and contraindications to the use of methotrexate, the post-treatment surveillance, and the criteria of expectant management. The indications for a surgical approach are not well established, although the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence agree that a laparoscopy is preferred to laparotomy for hemodynamically stable patients. The latter is considered a better option only in emergency conditions. However, there is controversy in the recommended methotrexate protocols and the evaluation of β-human chorionic gonadotrophin and progesterone levels.

Conclusion

It is of paramount importance to build consistent international protocols, so as to help clinicians all over the world diagnose EPs in the most timely and accurate way and subsequently treat them effectively as a nonurgent medical condition, with the intention to lower the mortality and morbidity rate.

Ectopic pregnancy in noncommunicating horn of unicornuate uterus: 3D-ultrasound and primary laparoscopic management

Unicornuate uterus with pregnancy in the noncommunicating rudimentary horn is extremely rare. Diagnosis requires awareness, high suspicion index, 3D ultrasound, and MRI. If missed, it can be catastrophic. Treatment varies across literature. We present a case where detection was done by 3D ultrasound and primary laparoscopic surgery done for treatment.

Side predilection in congenital anomalies of the kidney, urinary and genital tracts

BACKGROUND

There appear to be various patterns of sidedness with relation to the common urogenital malformations observed in pediatric urology. The objective of this statistical review was to synthesize this data and to assess if these patterns are significant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen urogenital conditions were investigated and for each condition the five largest studies that noted laterality were included. The sidedness of each condition was then analysed for statistical significance.

RESULTS

Three conditions had a statistically significant higher proportion on the right side: palpable undescended testis (63%, p = 0.0002), inguinal hernia (59%, p = 0.0001) and hydrocele (60%, p = 0.003). Three conditions were significantly more common on the left side: impalpable undescended testis (59%, p = 0.0008), renal agenesis (54%, p = 0.02) and vesico-ureteric junction obstruction (71%, p < 0.0001) while both pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (62%, p = 0.09) and absent vas deferens (61%, p = 0.11) were trending towards significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Various urogenital malformations display a predilection for one side. Proximal malformations tend to be more frequently seen on the left side, where as inguinoscrotal malformations are more frequently observed on the right. There is an increasing body of literature regarding aetiological factors for these conditions. However, our current understanding of the pathophysiology of these conditions does not completely explain this pattern of observation.

Avoiding the fatal misdiagnosis of pregnancy in a noncommunicating rudimentary horn using 3D transvaginal ultrasound

Rudimentary horn pregnancies are an increasingly recognized complication of Mullerian duct anomalies. They can lead to uterine rupture with severe maternal morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a 28-year-old woman with a prior surgical diagnosis of bicornuate uterus who was diagnosed with a 7-week pregnancy in the left horn of a bicornuate uterus by 2D ultrasound. Further investigation with 3D ultrasound revealed that the pregnancy was within a noncommunicating rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus. These findings were confirmed at laparotomy. This case illustrates the importance and benefits of utilizing 3D ultrasound in diagnosing suspected Mullerian anomalies.

Ultrasound Features of Rudimentary Horn Ectopic Pregnancies

Rudimentary horn ectopic pregnancies are uncommonly encountered in women with müllerian duct anomalies. The clinical presentation of this entity is nonspecific, giving ultrasound a critical role in making the diagnosis. Timely diagnosis and management of rudimentary horn ectopic pregnancies are pivotal in reducing the high rates of uterine rupture and maternal mortality historically associated with this condition.

Multimodality imaging of acute locoregional and systemic complications in the setting of assisted reproduction

Over the past 40 years since the first in vitro fertilization was performed, both the role of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in establishing viable pregnancy as well as the available treatment options have expanded enormously. Annually in the USA, nearly 2% of pregnancies now employ some form of ART assistance, with in vitro fertilization (IVF) being the most commonly utilized methodology. Both maternal and fetal risks are elevated in ART pregnancies, the latter including adverse outcome due to both increased gestational number as well as advanced maternal age. Maternal risks may be divided into locoregional and systemic complications. Adverse pelvic complications include those relating to gamete harvesting and transfer, ovarian hyperstimulation, the sequela of ectopic and heterotopic pregnancies, as well as ovarian torsion, all of which are elevated in the ART cohort. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is the most commonly encountered complication, with both systemic and pelvic features relating to increased vascular permeability, hemoconcentration, and ascites. While life-threatening cases are relatively rare, moderate and severe manifestations may occur in up to 10% of ART cycles and, as such, are a not infrequent cause for ER visitation. Familiarity with the clinical and imaging manifestations of ART complications as well as their prognostic implications will facilitate a timely diagnosis and assist the interpreting radiologist in best expediting appropriate clinical care. In this article, we will briefly discuss the current methodology of ART then present an imaging-based multimodality review of the potentially encountered adverse maternal sequela, highlighting key diagnostic features and differential considerations as well as potential prognostic implications.

Diagnosis and laparoscopic management of a 5-week ectopic pregnancy in a rudimentary uterine horn: A case report

Uterine anomalies result from the failure of complete fusion of the Müllerian ducts during embryogenesis. A unicornuate uterus with a rudimentary horn is the rarest anomaly and results from the failure of one of the Müllerian ducts to develop completely and an incomplete fusion with the contralateral side.

Diagnosis and surgical management of a 5-week ectopic pregnancy in a non-communicating rudimentary horn in an 18-year-old nulliparous woman in whom this congenital uterine anomaly was previously unknown are described.

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The incidence varies from 1 per 76000 pregnancies to 1 per 140000.

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Ultrasound sensitivity ranges from 33% to 14% in non-symptomatic cases.

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The major risk is a rupture during the second or third trimester.

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After diagnosis, immediate laparoscopic surgery is most commonly recommended.

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Ultrasound during early obstetric scan is the key for a correct management.

Novel Management of Ectopic Pregnancy in a Noncommunicating Rudimentary Horn of a Unicornuate Uterus

Pregnancy in a rudimentary horn is a rarely encountered form of ectopic pregnancy and is often an emergent situation because of the risk of rupture of the horn. A 31-year-old gravida 3 para 1 woman with 7 to 8 weeks’ gestational age was found to have a viable pregnancy in a rudimentary noncommunicating horn of a unicornuate uterus. She elected termination of the pregnancy via local intracardiac lidocaine and intra-amniotic methotrexate injections. Subsequent removal of the rudimentary horn was necessary to prevent recurrence. Because of the risk of rupture, the diagnosis and management of an ectopic pregnancy in a rudimentary horn can be emergent.

Treatment of cornual pregnancy in a patient with adenomyosis by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation: A case report

RATIONALE

Cornual ectopic pregnancy in adenomyosis patients is a rare clinical condition, which may require careful approach for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 38-year-old woman presented with amenorrhea for 8 weeks and serum HCG levels of 1455 mmol/L. The B ultrasound showed an endometrial thickness of 1.7 cm, and the presence of a cystic structure (16 6 mm) at the right uterine horn. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) accurately detected and confirmed the position of the cystic structure with its clear boundaries.

DIAGNOSES

Cornual ectopic pregnancy in adenomyosis.

INTERVENTIONS

The diagnosis was confirmed and treated by HIFU ablation. Total ablation was performed for 738 seconds without any bleeding.

OUTCOMES

Serum HCG levels decreased to < 0.1 mmol/L after 60 days post operation, and follow-up for 11 months showed a regular menstrual cycle without dysmenorrhea. Gestational sac was not obvious at postoperative 90 days by MRI. The adenomyosis associated lesion with blood perfusion became smaller at postoperative 90 days.

LESSONS

In this case, we successfully performed HIFU ablation and treated the cornual ectopic pregnancy in an adenomyosis patient for the first time, without any adverse complications.

Tale of rudimentary horn pregnancy: case reports and literature review

Rudimentary horn pregnancy (RHP) is a rare form of pregnancy in a rudimentary uterine horn with a reported incidence of 1 in 76,000 and 1 in 150,000. A significant number of cases is diagnosed only following rupture of the RHP with an estimated maternal mortality rate of 0.5%. Early diagnosis can help in planning management before its rupture and allows for surgical treatment using laparoscopy.

Diagnosis and laparoscopic management of a rudimentary horn pregnancy: Role of three-dimensional ultrasound

Rudimentary horn pregnancy occurs in 1 in 76,000-150,000 pregnancies and causes uterine rupture in about 80% of cases. The use of three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound seems to be useful for its early detection. We present a case of an 8-week pregnancy in a rudimentary horn, managed by laparoscopic excision. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:112-115, 2017.

Three-dimensional sonography in the differential diagnosis of interstitial, angular, and intrauterine pregnancies in a septate uterus

Interstitial, angular, and cornual pregnancies and intrauterine pregnancies in an anomalous uterus are separate entities, and the impact of each condition on obstetric outcomes is completely different. However, there is considerable confusion in understanding and managing the natural course of each condition due to a lack of uniform terminology. The single most important factor for differentiating these types of pregnancies is to make an early diagnosis. The differences between interstitial, angular, and cornual pregnancies on 2-dimensional (2D) sonography are subtle. Although magnetic resonance imaging can be used to differentiate these conditions, it is not preferred as the initial assessment tool because of its limited availability and cost-effectiveness. Three-dimensional (3D) sonography has the advantage of providing views of the uterus that cannot be obtained with conventional 2D sonography. We describe 3 cases of interstitial, angular, and intrauterine pregnancies in a septate uterus that were clearly differentiated by 3D sonography. We demonstrate the differences in diagnostic imaging findings and emphasize the importance of 3D sonography in differentiating these entities.

Ultrasound imaging in the management of bleeding and pain in early pregnancy

Bleeding and pain are experienced by 20% of women during the first trimester of pregnancy. Although most pregnancies complicated by pain and bleeding tend to progress normally, these symptoms are distressing for woman, and they are also associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Ultrasound is the first and often the only diagnostic modality that is used to determine location of early pregnancy and to assess its health. Ultrasound is an accurate, safe, painless and relatively inexpensive diagnostic tool, which all contributed to its widespread use in early pregnancy. Pain and bleeding in early pregnancy are sometimes caused by concomitant gynaecological, gastrointestinal, and urological problems, which could also be detected on ultrasound scan. In women with suspected intra-abdominal bleeding, ultrasound scan can be used to detect the presence of blood and provide information about the extent of bleeding. In this chapter, we comprehensively review the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of early pregnancy complications. We include information about the diagnosis of gynaecological and other pelvic abnormalities, which could cause pain or bleeding in pregnancy. We also provide a summary of the current views on the safety of ultrasound in early pregnancy.

An autopsy report on a ruptured rudimentary horn (uterine anomaly) with ectopic pregnancy

The rudimentary horn is a rare developmental anomaly of the Müllerian duct. Ectopic pregnancy in the rudimentary horn is estimated to occur in one out of 76,000-150,000 pregnancies. A 30-year-old primigravida suddenly collapsed after 3 days of continuous abdominal pain. Emergency laparotomy revealed a massive intraperitoneal hemorrhage and fetal demise. The growth of the fetus after 19 weeks of gestation is believed to have caused the rudimentary horn rupture, thereby rapidly leading to hemorrhagic shock in the mother and ischemic death in the fetus. This is the first autopsy report on maternal death due to the rudimentary horn or other Müllerian duct anomalies, which emphasizes the need for forensic pathologists to consider this condition as a possible cause of unexpected death in fertile women. In addition, it is very important for clinicians to detect Müllerian duct anomalies by sonography during routine obstetric examinations, and promptly diagnose anomaly related ectopic pregnancies in women displaying symptoms of an acute abdomen, intraperitoneal hemorrhage, or shock in the emergency practice.

Rudimentary horn pregnancy: a 10-year experience and review of literature

Rudimentary horn pregnancy is rare, but can cause considerable morbidity and mortality. We discuss five cases presented to our hospital in the last 10 years and systematically review the 10-year literature of rudimentary horn pregnancies diagnosed antenatally pre-rupture.

OBJECTIVES OF THE REVIEW

The aim of the review was to find radiologic investigations/criteria to diagnose rudimentary horn pregnancy antenatally pre-rupture.

SEARCH METHODS

A systematic literature review was carried out in Pubmed search for rudimentary horn pregnancies. The radiologic findings of the cases diagnosed before rupture were analyzed.

RESULTS

Ultrasound is the most commonly used technique, though MRI seems to delineate details better. Non-continuity of the lumen of the cervix with the pregnant uterine horn is an important imaging finding. High clinical suspicion and radiologic skill for diagnosis are emphasized.

CONCLUSIONS

The review presents the existing imaging criteria to diagnose rudimentary horn pregnancy and suggests future research to enhance the limited evidence.

Ultrasound in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

The majority of ectopic pregnancies can be diagnosed on transvaginal scan before treatment. Diagnosis should be based on positive visualization of an ectopic pregnancy rather the inability to visualize an intrauterine pregnancy. The majority of ectopic pregnancies will be visible on the initial transvaginal scan performed. Those who do not have their ectopic pregnancies visualized on the first examination will be initially classified as having a pregnancy of unknown location. They will then need follow-up until a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is confirmed. This review discusses the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy and the specific criteria for diagnosis of the different types of ectopic pregnancy.

The value of hysteroscopy in the diagnostic approach to a rudimentary horn pregnancy

A 33-year-old woman presented with an ectopic pregnancy without any complaints. Laparoscopy was performed since a tubal pregnancy was expected. However, both fallopian tubes appeared normal and it was not possible to differentiate accurately between a pregnancy in a non-communicating horn and a pregnancy in a bicornuate uterus. We therefore performed MRI which showed a thin myometrium around the pregnancy. In order to differentiate between a communicating and a non-communicating uterine horn the authors performed a hysteroscopy. Since there was only one cervical os, and an entrance to the second uterine cavity was not seen along the cervical canal, it was concluded that this pregnancy was situated in a non-communicating rudimentary horn. The non-communicating uterine horn, with the pregnancy in situ, was completely removed. Since a pregnancy in a bicornuate uterus is viable in contrast to a pregnancy in a non-communicating horn, accurate diagnosis is important.

Misoprostol and termination of pregnancy: is there a need for ultrasound screening in a general population to assess the risk for adverse outcome in cases of uterine anomaly?

PURPOSE AND METHODS

We reviewed the existing literature on medical termination of pregnancy in cases of congenital uterine malformation. Is medical termination of pregnancy safe in the presence of a uterine anomaly? Can termination of pregnancy still be performed when information concerning the presence of congenital uterine malformation is not available?

RESULTS

The risk of adverse outcome, i.e. uterine rupture, was high in class 2 uterine anomalies, whereas the risks in classes 3-6 were negligible. However, the very low incidence of class 2 anomalies in pregnant women results in a calculated risk of uterine rupture in medical termination of pregnancy on the basis of this anomaly of 1 in 300,000 pregnancies. Ultrasound scanning is of limited diagnostic value to diagnose congenital uterine malformations.

CONCLUSIONS

The implications of uterine anomalies are not an argument in the discussion whether to use misoprostol for termination of pregnancy in developing countries with scarce diagnostics tools.

Laparoscopic management of a 16-week ruptured rudimentary horn pregnancy: a case and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy in a rudimentary horn is although rare, but is associated with the risk of rupture and life threatening hemorrhage. With the use of ultrasound the diagnosis can be made before symptoms occur. Management usually consists of excision of the rudimentary horn along with the pregnancy and the ipsilateral tube, traditionally by laparotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We present a case of a 16-week ruptured rudimentary horn pregnancy diagnosed intraoperatively and managed laparoscopically in the presence of massive haemoperitoneum, which is first of its kind along with literature review.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates that laparoscopy is a feasible approach and can provide rapid diagnosis and control of bleeding in such cases provided there is availability of efficient multi-disciplinary teamwork, optimal anesthesia, advanced cardiovascular monitoring, laparoscopic expertise and ability to convert rapidly to laparotomy if required.