Successful management of heterotopic pregnancy after fetal reduction using potassium chloride and methotrexate

Fetal Reduction by Potassium Chloride Infusion in Unruptured Heterotopic Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review explores the practice of fetal reduction through potassium chloride infusion in unruptured heterotopic pregnancies. Heterotopic pregnancies, characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of intrauterine and extrauterine gestations, present unique challenges in reproductive medicine. The review defines fetal reduction and underscores its significance in mitigating risks associated with heterotopic pregnancies, including the threat of rupture, maternal morbidity, and adverse outcomes. The analysis encompasses the background, methods, efficacy, ethical considerations, and future directions related to the procedure. Findings highlight the efficacy and safety of potassium chloride infusion, emphasizing the importance of proper patient selection and counseling. Implications for clinical practice underscore the procedure's viability in specific cases where the benefits outweigh the associated risks. The review concludes with recommendations for future studies, encouraging further research on procedural techniques, alternative methods, and the psychosocial impact on patients. This work is a foundation for advancing the management of unruptured heterotopic pregnancies, providing insights for clinicians and researchers to improve clinical outcomes and patient care.

Use of Methotrexate in Gynecologic and Obstetric Practice: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

Methotrexate (MTX) is the primary pharmaceutical agent that is used for management of disorders arising from trophoblastic tissue. Its widespread international use is mostly attributable to its noninvasive, safe, and effective characteristics as a treatment option for ectopic pregnancy (EP) and gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), with the large added benefit of fertility preservation. Although the effects of MTX usage are well documented in the gynecologic and obstetric literature, there is a scarcity of radiologic literature on the subject. Depending on the type of EP, the route of MTX administration and dosage may vary. US plays an essential role in the diagnosis and differentiation of various types of EPs, pregnancy-related complications, and complications related to MTX therapy, as well as the assessment of eligibility criteria for MTX usage. A knowledge of expected imaging findings following MTX treatment, including variability in echogenicity and shape of the EP, size fluctuations, changes in vascularity and gestational sac content, and the extent of hemoperitoneum, is essential for appropriate patient management and avoidance of unnecessary invasive procedures. A recognition of sonographic findings associated with pregnancy progression and complications such as tubal or uterine rupture, severe hemorrhage, septic abortion, and development of arteriovenous communications ensures prompt patient surgical management. The authors discuss the use of MTX in the treatment of disorders arising from trophoblastic tissue (namely EP and GTD), its mechanism of action, its route of administration, and various treatment regimens. The authors also provide a focused discussion of the role of US in the detection and diagnosis of EP and GTD, the assessment of the eligibility criteria for MTX use, and the identification of the sonographic findings seen following MTX treatment, with specific emphasis on imaging findings associated with MTX treatment success and failure. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Heterotopic pregnancy: Simultaneous viable and nonviable pregnancies

Heterotopic pregnancy occurs when a patient has simultaneous intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies. Rates of heterotopic pregnancy have been rising with increased availability and access to in vitro fertilization and other advanced fertility technologies. Symptoms of heterotopic pregnancy are nonspecific, such as vague abdominal pain, so transvaginal ultrasound is a crucial part of the diagnostic process. Laparoscopy is the most commonly performed treatment of the ectopic pregnancy; other options include localized injections of methotrexate and/or potassium chloride. Following definitive termination of the ectopic pregnancy, many patients will successfully deliver the intrauterine pregnancy at term. Early identification of heterotopic pregnancy can reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

Heterotopic pregnancy: a case report

Background

Heterotopic pregnancy describes the occurrence of two pregnancies in different implantation sites simultaneously, which is rare, yet it is a challenge to diagnose such a problem due to complex clinical and laboratory findings. In the current study, we present a case of first trimester heterotopic pregnancy diagnosed by ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and was managed successfully.

Case presentation

A 22-year-old primigravida lady with spontaneous pregnancy was presented by increasing lower abdominal pain for 5 days with brownish vaginal discharge, nausea, and vomiting episodes. Trans-abdominal and endovaginal ultrasound was performed and revealed a viable intrauterine pregnancy of 8 weeks and 1 day, associated with a heterogeneous complex right adnexal mass. MR imaging revealed a right adnexal mass intimately anterior to the normal right ovary. Laparascopy was done; it revealed a distended right fallopian tube with pregnancy while the right ovary was not seen (impeded in the pouch of Douglas), and right salpingectomy was done. The specimen was sent for histopathology. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was then taken to the recovery room in stable condition. The histopathological report confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

Conclusion

However, heterotopic is a rare condition, any pregnant woman presenting with alarming abdominal pain and adnexal abnormality; heterotopic pregnancy should be among the differential diagnosis possibilities. The patient should be thoroughly investigated using ultrasound and MRI if needed, to exclude this rare diagnosis and allow on-time proper management.

Case of Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy in the Uterosacral Ligament and Review of the Literature

Pregnancies that implant on the uterosacral ligament are rare. Here, we describe a case of ruptured ectopic pregnancy in the left uterosacral ligament in a patient with potential risk factors including possible endometriosis and recent hysteroscopic procedure. A 29-year-old female, para 0, presented to the emergency department with generalized abdominal pain. Pelvic examination was significant for fullness in the posterior cul-de-sac. Laboratory values were significant for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level of 6311 mIU/mL. Sonogram findings were significant for no intrauterine gestation, a 6.9 × 4.6 × 4.7 cm³ complex left adnexal mass, and moderate free fluid within the posterior cul-de-sac. The patient underwent laparoscopy, which revealed hemoperitoneum and unremarkable bilateral fallopian tubes and ovaries. An abnormal area was noted in the left uterosacral ligament. Tissue was bluntly removed and pathologically confirmed as chorionic villi within the left uterosacral ligament. After one week, her beta-hCG decreased to 784 mIU/mL. After two weeks, she was seen as an outpatient and was doing well without any symptoms. More information is required regarding these unique pregnancies to help understand the pathophysiology and determine the management.

Treatment of tubal heterotopic pregnancy with viable intrauterine pregnancy: Analysis of 81 cases from one tertiary care center

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to analyze the treatment and pregnancy outcome of tubal heterotopic pregnancy (HP) patients with a viable intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) in our center.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective analysis of 81 patients with tubal HP and a viable IUP. Patients were divided into either an expectant treatment group (29 patients) or a surgical treatment group (52 patients, 36 laparoscopy and 16 laparotomy). Data related to the basal clinical characteristic of all patients, rescue treatment and ectopic pregnancy (EP) rupture rate in the expectant treatment group, operation details in the surgical treatment group and pregnancy outcomes were collected and analyzed. Subgroup analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

In the expectant treatment group, the abortion rate, EP rupture rate and rescue treatment rate were 10.34 % (3/29), 21.14 % (7/29) and 34.48 % (10/29), respectively; subgroup analysis revealed that the rescue treatment rate in patients with EP mass enlargement ≥50 % was 71.43 % (5/7), which was significantly higher than that in patients with EP mass enlargement <50 % (15.00 %, 3/20), with P = 0.011. In the surgical treatment group, the abortion rate of all patients was 15.38 % (8/52); the abortion rate was 22.22 % (8/36) in the laparoscopy subgroup, which was significantly higher than that in the laparotomy subgroup (0.00 %, 0/16), with P = 0.038.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment is a safe treatment option for tubal HP with a viable IUP, and laparoscopic surgery may be a potential risk factor for abortion. A high risk of failure exists for expectant management of tubal HP with a viable IUP, and EP mass enlargement ≥50 % may be a potential predictor of rescue treatment.

Heterotopic cervical pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization - case report and literature review

Heterotopic cervical pregnancy is an uncommon condition, with a rising incidence due to the increasing number of pregnancies resulting from in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Although it is associated with maternal-fetal complications, there is no consensus in the literature about the best approach for this condition. This study aims to report a case of cervical heterotopic gestation after IVF in which the intrauterine pregnancy was preserved, with spontaneous elimination of the cervical gestational sac after patient sedation and introduction of the vaginal speculum. In addition, we reviewed the literature on the subject, which demonstrated that most cases have a favorable outcome, especially after treatment with surgical excision of the cervical pregnancy. The growing body of evidence is still scarce to define the best treatment for this condition.

Clinical analysis of 50 patients with heterotopic pregnancy after ovulation induction or embryo transfer

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, prenatal diagnosis, and management of patients with heterotopic pregnancy after ovulation induction or embryo transfer.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of fifty cases with heterotopic pregnancy, in which the fertilization way, type and number of embryo transferred, gestational age, clinical presentation and outcome of intrauterine, ultrasound presentation and site of ectopic pregnancy, bilateral fallopian tube and treatment were evaluated.

Results

Six patients had spontaneous pregnancy and two had artificial insemination after ovulation induction. Sixteen had fresh and nineteen had frozen embryo transfer with seven patients unrecorded its embryo type and number. The average days from transplantation (or intercourse/insemination) to diagnosing heterotopic pregnancy was thirty-seven with the earliest eighteen and the latest more than 70 days. Although the most common presentation was vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain, more than 21% was found by ultrasound and rare individuals even presented with gastrointestinal symptom which may imply ruptured EP and hemorrhagic shock. Giving proper treatment (surgery or local drug injection), the majority of them had a successful intrauterine pregnancy with only seven miscarried.

Conclusions

Ovulation induction or embryo transfer increased the risk of HP greatly and clinician should raise high suspicious during the whole first trimester. Although the most ectopic site was ampullary, other sites such as cornual, cervical, abdominal especially interstitial or tubal stumps should also be assessed by ultrasound even in patients with bilateral salpingectomy or tubal obstructed. Repeated ultrasound tests 2 weeks after the diagnosis of intrauterine pregnancy with heart beating was very necessary to find the missed ones in suspicious patients. Compared with surgery, embryo suction with or without proper local drug injection would be more advisable for patients with cervical, cornual, or interstitial pregnancy in order to reserve the intrauterine pregnancy.

Management of Heterotopic Pregnancy: Experience From 1 Tertiary Medical Center

The objective of this study is to summarize the experiences of our department in the management of heterotopic pregnancy (HP) and to analyze the influence of different treatment modality on the viable intrauterine pregnancy.There were 64 patients diagnosed as HP in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in our hospital between January 2003 and June 2014, 52 HP patients with viable intrauterine pregnancy were included and analyzed in our study. Interventions included expectant management, surgical management and transabdominal sonographic guided transvaginal aspiration of ectopic gestational embryo (embryo aspiration) management.Main outcome measures are maternal outcome and pregnancy outcome.In expectant management group, 4 patients suffered rupture of ectopic pregnancy, 6 patients transferred to surgical management, 1 patient suffered a fever of 40.4°C, the abortion rate was 5% (1/20). In surgical management group, emergency surgery was performed in 9 patients with unstable hemodynamics and 3 patients with stable hemodynamics, 1 patient suffered uterine rupture 5 weeks later and dead fetus was demonstrated, 1 patient suffered urinary retention postoperative, the abortion rate was 14.8% (4/27). In embryo aspiration management group, 1 patient needed another embryo aspiration, all patients were eventful and no abortion was observed.In our retrospective study, transabdominal sonographic guided aspiration of ectopic gestational embryo has the best maternal outcome and the lowest abortion rate, surgical management group shows the highest abortion rate, and expectant management presents the worst maternal outcome.

Diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas of cervical ectopic pregnancy

IMPORTANCE

Cervical pregnancy is a rare variety of ectopic pregnancy. The etiology is obscure. Its diagnosis may be difficult, and its management has enormously changed during the last 10 years. Unfortunately, the most effective, fertility-sparing treatment is still unclear until now.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore the safety and efficacy of different treatment modalities of cervical pregnancy.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A comprehensive systematic review of the literature was performed using the electronic databases MEDLINE and PubMed, using key words cervical, ectopic, and pregnancy, between January 2005 and June 2013. We included all case reports and case series reporting on cervical ectopic pregnancy.

RESULTS

A total of 252 cases of cervical ectopic pregnancy were analyzed. Eighty-eight cases (34.9%) had medical treatment, 69 cases (27.5%) had surgical treatment, and 95 cases (37.6%) had combined medical and surgical treatment. Various conservative treatment regimens have been introduced to preserve fertility in young women, with methotrexate being one of the most widely used and effective drugs.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

A high index of suspicion, combined with meticulous review of clinical and radiological findings, is essential to make an accurate diagnosis of cervical pregnancy. The success of conservative treatment depends mainly on early diagnosis. Such cases would be best managed at specialist tertiary referral centers and preferably, where available, Early Pregnancy Assessment Units, whether medical, surgical, or combined treatment modalities were attempted.

Suggested Method for the Management of Heterotopic Cervical Pregnancy Leading to Term Delivery of the Intrauterine Pregnancy: Case Report and Literature Review

This is a case report and literature review regarding early diagnosis and management of a cervical heterotopic pregnancy. A 41-year-old gravida 2 para 0 with premature ovarian failure was treated successfully in an in vitro fertilization program with donor oocytes. A transvaginal ultrasound scan revealed the presence of a heterotopic pregnancy, with an intrauterine embryo and an intracervical embryo. Both embryos had positive heartbeats. Aspiration of the cervical pregnancy was followed by Foley catheter placement and cervical cerclage suturing. Monitoring of the patient resulted in elective uncomplicated cesarean section delivery at 38 weeks following an uneventful pregnancy. Given the lack of guidelines for the management of heterotopic cervical pregnancy, we reviewed the literature suggesting the most effective method. The value of early diagnosis and management is concluded from the literature, in support of our management principles.

Management and outcome of 25 heterotopic pregnancies in Zhejiang, China

OBJECTIVE

To characterize general attributes of women with heterotopic pregnancy (HP) in order to establish an optimal management regimen.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 25 HPs recorded at the Women's Hospital of Zhejiang University between 2007 and 2011. Data on patients' symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic features, treatment and outcome were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

All patients had conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART), 72% had a history of pelvic inflammatory disease and 68% of patients were symptomatic. Fifty-six percent of patients were diagnosed with HP via routine transvaginal ultrasound examination at approximately 6-7 weeks of gestation. Eighty percent of patients underwent surgical treatment (35% laparoscopic salpingectomy, 65% laparotomy), and 20% of patients underwent medical treatment with local injection of methotrexate (MTX) or MTX in combination with potassium chloride (KCl) into ectopic sites such as the cervix or interstitium. Eighty-eight percent of patients delivered live infants without congenital anomalies, and three patients (all of whom underwent surgical treatment) miscarried.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine transvaginal ultrasound examination at approximately 6-7 weeks of gestation could facilitate the diagnosis of HP, although repeat ultrasound is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and correct treatment, including local injection of MTX or MTX in combination with KCl into various ectopic sites, led to favourable prognoses.

Ruptured heterotopic pregnancy in a natural conception cycle: a case report at the Yaounde central Hospital (Cameroon)

Heterotopic pregnancy is very rare under natural circumstances. We report the case of a 28 year old Gravida2 Para1001 woman at 9 weeks of pregnancy who consulted in emergency for acute pelvic pain following metrorrhagia. Physical exam revealed hemoperitoneum without shock. An emergency ultrasonography revealed two gestational sacs, one intra-uterine and the other extra-uterine. Laparotomy was done and the findings were: a ruptured right tubal pregnancy with 1,300 milliliters of hemoperitoneum, type B left utero-adnexal adhesions and an increased uterus consistent with a 9 weeks pregnancy. Right total salpingectomy was done and the patient did well postoperatively. That intrauterine pregnancy evolved normally under progesterone supply and the woman delivered a termed live female baby weighing 3.1 kilogrammes. In our context where ultrasound is not always available, practitioners carrying out salpingectomy for ruptured ectopic pregnancies should bear in mind the plausibleness of heterotopic pregnancy in order to properly handle the uterus.