Heterotopic pregnancy in a spontaneous cycle: do not forget about it!

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1999 Nov;87(1):91-3. doi: 10.1016/s0301-2115(99)00079-2.

Abstract

Heterotopic pregnancies are estimated to be less frequent than 1:30000 if no assisted reproduction technologies (ART) are performed. After ART this entity is more frequent and in the range of 1:100. In the case reported here an ectopic pregnancy was detected in the right fallopian tube at 7+ 1 weeks of gestation. It was misdiagnosed as an ectopic singleton, and treated by laparoscopic salpingectomy, because of a previous ectopic in the same tube. Rising hCG after laparoscopy during the subsequent days followed by ultrasound evaluation revealed a viable intrauterine pregnancy. The pregnancy continued uneventfully and a healthy child was delivered at term. The problems, which lead to the misdiagnosis are discussed. The problem of rare cases in medicine, and the problems of a 'modern' medicine are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / blood*
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / urine
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy*
  • Pregnancy, Tubal / surgery*

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin