Diagnostic Dilemma in Cornual Pregnancy- 3D Ultrasonography may Aid!!

Pregnancies at the Uterotubal Junction: A Review of Terminology (Interstitial, Cornual, and Angular) and Recommendations for Management

Ectopic pregnancies are one of the most common causes of obstetric mortality worldwide. Interstitial ectopic pregnancies, defined as an extracavitary pregnancy within the portion of the Fallopian tube that transverses the myometrium, have reported mortality rates approximately seven times higher than all types of ectopic pregnancy combined. In contrast, intracavitary eccentric gestations, often labeled as "cornual" or "angular" pregnancies, have reportedly high rates of live birth. Unfortunately, the terms "interstitial," "cornual," and "angular" have long been used with varying diagnostic criteria and often interchangeably to describe a pregnancy near the uterotubal junction. The inconsistency in nomenclature and lack of clear diagnostic criteria to distinguish among these pregnancies has resulted in a paucity of data to provide accurate prognostic information and guide appropriate management. This review article aims to provide historical context for the terms "interstitial," "cornual," and "angular;" discuss previous and more recent innovations of diagnostic methods; and provide recommendations for concise terminology and inform management.

Is interstitial pregnancy clinically different from cornual pregnancy? A case report

Interstitial pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy with significant risk for morbidity. A 32-year-old woman, was brought to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and syncope. There was no history of menolipsis and usage of any contraceptive methods. Serum ß hCG arrival was 11224 IU/L. Trans-vaginal ultrasound scan showed an empty uterus with a displaced 16 × 26 mm gestation sac on the left corn of the uterine cavity which surrounded by a thin myometrium. Free abdominal fluid and coagulum were also detected in the cul-de-sac. She was haemodynamically unstable. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed in the left uterine cornu during emergency laparotomy. Cornual resection was performed. Interstitial and cornual pregnancies should be considered as two different clinical situations. It is important to enhance the clinician's suspicion about interstitial/cornual pregnancy. Thus, more detailed examination by transvaginal ultrasonography may contribute for accurate localization and diagnosis.

Misdiagnosis of abdominal pain in pregnancy: acute pancreatitis

We report a case of acute pancreatitis in a pregnant woman who presented to our emergency department with complaints of severe abdominal pain, was misdiagnosed as scar dehiscence and underwent emergency repeat caesarean section at 33 wks for fetal distress. The preterm baby developed severe respiratory distress and succumbed on the second postnatal day. Persistent severe pain in the postoperative period in the mother prompted further evaluation which led to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Conservative and supportive management was instituted leading to an eventual favourable maternal outcome.