[Ectopic pregnancy]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2014:158:A7831.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy outside of the uterine cavity. An ectopic pregnancy can rupture and lead to hypovolaemic shock due to intraperitoneal bleeding. We describe 3 cases of women with ectopic pregnancy and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic options. All women of fertile age with abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding should get a pregnancy test. Vaginal ultrasound and human chorionic gonadotrophin levels are the most important diagnostic tools. Depending on the findings, management can may be either conservative with repeated follow-up, intramuscular methotrexate or surgical, depending on the findings. After an ectopic pregnancy there is a higher risk of subfertility and another ectopic pregnancy, but more than half of the women will have a subsequent ongoing intra uterine pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / therapy*
  • Salpingectomy*
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / etiology

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Methotrexate