ectopic pregnancy Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
, , , , , Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2023;45(9):503-510
, , , , , , The availability of reliable and inexpensive markers that can be used to determine the risk of rupture during methotrexate (MTX) treatment in ectopic pregnancies (EPs) is considerable. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of systemic inflammatory markers such as leukocytes (or white blood cells, WBCs), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet distribution width (PDW), which are among the parameters of the complete blood count (CBC), in the prediction of rupture of EPs under MTX treatment.
A total of 161 patients with tubal EP who underwent a single-dose methotrexate (MTX) protocol were retrospectively analyzed, and the control group (n = 83) included patients cured by MTX, while the ruptured group (n = 78) included patients who were operated on for tubal rupture during the MTX treatment. The features of EP, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels, sonographic findings, and CBC-derived markers such as WBC, NLR, and PDW, were investigated by comparing both groups.
The NLR was found to be higher in the ruptured group, of 2.92 ± 0.86%, and significantly lower in the control group, of 2.09 ± 0.6%. Similarly, the PDW was higher (51 ± 9%) in the ruptured group, and it was significantly lower a (47 ± 13%) in the control group (p < 0.05). Other CBC parameters were similar in both groups (p > 0.05).
Systemic inflammation markers derived from CBC can be easily applied to predict the risk of tubal rupture in Eps, since the CBC is an inexpensive and easy-to-apply test, which is first requested from each patient during hospitalization.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2023;45(9):503-510
, , , , , , The availability of reliable and inexpensive markers that can be used to determine the risk of rupture during methotrexate (MTX) treatment in ectopic pregnancies (EPs) is considerable. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of systemic inflammatory markers such as leukocytes (or white blood cells, WBCs), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet distribution width (PDW), which are among the parameters of the complete blood count (CBC), in the prediction of rupture of EPs under MTX treatment.
A total of 161 patients with tubal EP who underwent a single-dose methotrexate (MTX) protocol were retrospectively analyzed, and the control group (n = 83) included patients cured by MTX, while the ruptured group (n = 78) included patients who were operated on for tubal rupture during the MTX treatment. The features of EP, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels, sonographic findings, and CBC-derived markers such as WBC, NLR, and PDW, were investigated by comparing both groups.
The NLR was found to be higher in the ruptured group, of 2.92 ± 0.86%, and significantly lower in the control group, of 2.09 ± 0.6%. Similarly, the PDW was higher (51 ± 9%) in the ruptured group, and it was significantly lower a (47 ± 13%) in the control group (p < 0.05). Other CBC parameters were similar in both groups (p > 0.05).
Systemic inflammation markers derived from CBC can be easily applied to predict the risk of tubal rupture in Eps, since the CBC is an inexpensive and easy-to-apply test, which is first requested from each patient during hospitalization.
, , , , Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2022;44(11):1014-1020
, , , , Cervical pregnancy is challenging for the medical community, as it is potentially fatal. The treatment can be medical or surgical; however, there are no protocols that establish the best option for each case. The objective of the present study was to describe the cases of cervical pregnancy admitted to a tertiary university hospital over a period of 18 years.
A retrospective study based on a review of the medical records of all cervical pregnancies admitted to the Women's Hospital at Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Southeastern Brazil, from 2000 to 2018.
We identified 13 cases of cervical pregnancy out of a total of 673 ectopic pregnancies; only 1 case was initially treated with surgery because of hemodynamic instability. Of the 12 cases treated conservatively, 7 were treated with single-dose intramuscular methotrexate, 1, with intravenous and intramuscular methotrexate, 1, with intravenous methotrexate, 1, with 2 doses of intramuscular methotrexate, and 2, with intra-amniotic methotrexate. Of these cases, one had a therapeutic failure that required a hysterectomy. Two women received blood transfusions. Four women required cervical tamponade with a Foley catheter balloon for hemostasis. There was no fatal outcome.
Cervical pregnancy is a rare and challenging condition from diagnosis to treatment. Conservative treatment was the primary method of therapy used, with satisfactory results. In cases of increased bleeding, cervical curettage was the initial treatment, and it was associated with the use of a cervical balloon for hemostasis.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2022;44(11):1014-1020
, , , , Cervical pregnancy is challenging for the medical community, as it is potentially fatal. The treatment can be medical or surgical; however, there are no protocols that establish the best option for each case. The objective of the present study was to describe the cases of cervical pregnancy admitted to a tertiary university hospital over a period of 18 years.
A retrospective study based on a review of the medical records of all cervical pregnancies admitted to the Women's Hospital at Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Southeastern Brazil, from 2000 to 2018.
We identified 13 cases of cervical pregnancy out of a total of 673 ectopic pregnancies; only 1 case was initially treated with surgery because of hemodynamic instability. Of the 12 cases treated conservatively, 7 were treated with single-dose intramuscular methotrexate, 1, with intravenous and intramuscular methotrexate, 1, with intravenous methotrexate, 1, with 2 doses of intramuscular methotrexate, and 2, with intra-amniotic methotrexate. Of these cases, one had a therapeutic failure that required a hysterectomy. Two women received blood transfusions. Four women required cervical tamponade with a Foley catheter balloon for hemostasis. There was no fatal outcome.
Cervical pregnancy is a rare and challenging condition from diagnosis to treatment. Conservative treatment was the primary method of therapy used, with satisfactory results. In cases of increased bleeding, cervical curettage was the initial treatment, and it was associated with the use of a cervical balloon for hemostasis.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2019;41(2):129-132
Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of pregnancy-related death during the first trimester, and it occurs in 1 to 2% of pregnancies. Over 90% of ectopic pregnancies are located in the fallopian tube. Abdominal pregnancy refers to an ectopic pregnancy that has implanted in the peritoneal cavity, external to the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. The estimated incidence is 1 per 10,000 births and 1.4%of ectopic pregnancies. Lithopedion is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy, and it occurs when the fetus from an unrecognized abdominal pregnancymay die and calcify. The resulting “stone baby” may not be detected for decades andmay cause a variety of complications. Lithopedion is a very rare event that occurs in 0.0054% of all gestations. About 1.5 to 1.8% of the abdominal babies develop into lithopedion. There are only ~ 330 known cases of lithopedion in the world. We describe a lithopedion that complicated as intestinal obstruction in a 71-year-old woman.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2019;41(2):129-132
Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of pregnancy-related death during the first trimester, and it occurs in 1 to 2% of pregnancies. Over 90% of ectopic pregnancies are located in the fallopian tube. Abdominal pregnancy refers to an ectopic pregnancy that has implanted in the peritoneal cavity, external to the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. The estimated incidence is 1 per 10,000 births and 1.4%of ectopic pregnancies. Lithopedion is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy, and it occurs when the fetus from an unrecognized abdominal pregnancymay die and calcify. The resulting “stone baby” may not be detected for decades andmay cause a variety of complications. Lithopedion is a very rare event that occurs in 0.0054% of all gestations. About 1.5 to 1.8% of the abdominal babies develop into lithopedion. There are only ~ 330 known cases of lithopedion in the world. We describe a lithopedion that complicated as intestinal obstruction in a 71-year-old woman.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2018;40(5):294-299
This report presents the case of a patient with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia after a partial hydatidiform mole formed in the Fallopian tube. Ectopic molar pregnancy is a rare condition, with an estimated incidence of 1 in every 20,000 to 100,000 pregnancies; less than 300 cases of it have been reported in the Western literature. The present report is important because it presents current diagnostic criteria for this rare condition, which has been incorrectly diagnosed in the past, not only morphologically but also immunohistochemically. It also draws the attention of obstetricians to the occurrence of ectopic molar pregnancy, which tends to progress to Fallopian tube rupture more often than in cases of ectopic non-molar pregnancy. Progression to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia ensures that patients with ectopic molar pregnancy must undergo postmolar monitoring, which must be just as thorough as that of patients with intrauterine hydatidiform moles, even if chemotherapy results in high cure rates.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2018;40(5):294-299
This report presents the case of a patient with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia after a partial hydatidiform mole formed in the Fallopian tube. Ectopic molar pregnancy is a rare condition, with an estimated incidence of 1 in every 20,000 to 100,000 pregnancies; less than 300 cases of it have been reported in the Western literature. The present report is important because it presents current diagnostic criteria for this rare condition, which has been incorrectly diagnosed in the past, not only morphologically but also immunohistochemically. It also draws the attention of obstetricians to the occurrence of ectopic molar pregnancy, which tends to progress to Fallopian tube rupture more often than in cases of ectopic non-molar pregnancy. Progression to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia ensures that patients with ectopic molar pregnancy must undergo postmolar monitoring, which must be just as thorough as that of patients with intrauterine hydatidiform moles, even if chemotherapy results in high cure rates.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(6):357-360
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600009
Bilateral ectopic pregnancy is the most unusual twin gestation considering that less than 250 cases have been reported in the literature. Our case fulfills the diagnostic criterion determined by Norris9 which requires demonstration of chorionic villi in each fallopian tube. We report the case of a 36-year-old multiparous woman who had an hemorrhagic acute abdomen. A laparotomy performed under general anesthesia revealed hemoperitoneum of 1.8 liters and both swelled tubes with laceration of their walls, besides two embryos with 2,7 and 3,0 cm in length free in the intra-abdominal blood. A literature review on bilateral ectopic pregnancy is presented.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(6):357-360
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600009
Bilateral ectopic pregnancy is the most unusual twin gestation considering that less than 250 cases have been reported in the literature. Our case fulfills the diagnostic criterion determined by Norris9 which requires demonstration of chorionic villi in each fallopian tube. We report the case of a 36-year-old multiparous woman who had an hemorrhagic acute abdomen. A laparotomy performed under general anesthesia revealed hemoperitoneum of 1.8 liters and both swelled tubes with laceration of their walls, besides two embryos with 2,7 and 3,0 cm in length free in the intra-abdominal blood. A literature review on bilateral ectopic pregnancy is presented.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(3):127-135
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000300002
A prospective study was performed with 42 patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancy, which intended to elaborate an index to orient the systemic treatment with the administration of a single intramuscular dose of methotrexate (50 mg/m²). Patients were monitored with beta-hCG titers on days 1, 4 and 7 after the methotrexate. When the titers of beta-hCG declined more than 15%, between days 4 and 7 after methotrexate, the patients were discharged and had an outpatient follow-up monitored with beta-hCG titers weekly until the titers were less than 5 mIU/ml, which represents success of the treatment. We prepared an index for the systemic treatment with methotrexate, with five parameters: (1) initial titers of beta-hCG; (2) aspects of the image at ultrasound (hematosalpinx, gestational sac, live embryo); (3) size of the mass; (4) free fluid in cul-de-sac; (5) collor doppler. Each parameter received a grade from 0 to 2. Grade 0 represented bad prognosis, favorable parameters received grade 2 and borderline parameters received grade one. The success rate with a single dose of methotrexate was 69.0% (29/42). The color doppler was performed in 20 of the 42 patients; in this group of 20 patients the success rate was 75.0% (15/20). In the 22 patients who were not submitted to the color doppler, the average grade of the score in the successful cases was 6.6, and in the unsuccessful it was 3.1. In the group who underwent the doppler (20 patients) the average was 7.9 in the successful cases and 4.2 in the cases that failed. In the present study the cut-off grade was 5, for most of the patients with grades above 5 had a successful treatment (15/16 - 93.75%), while grades equal or below 5 failed. The score will help to indicate the best cases for the medical treatment. We do not advise the treatment when the grade is equal or below 5. Therefore, we can predict a good evolution of the treatment when the grade is above five.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(3):127-135
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000300002
A prospective study was performed with 42 patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancy, which intended to elaborate an index to orient the systemic treatment with the administration of a single intramuscular dose of methotrexate (50 mg/m²). Patients were monitored with beta-hCG titers on days 1, 4 and 7 after the methotrexate. When the titers of beta-hCG declined more than 15%, between days 4 and 7 after methotrexate, the patients were discharged and had an outpatient follow-up monitored with beta-hCG titers weekly until the titers were less than 5 mIU/ml, which represents success of the treatment. We prepared an index for the systemic treatment with methotrexate, with five parameters: (1) initial titers of beta-hCG; (2) aspects of the image at ultrasound (hematosalpinx, gestational sac, live embryo); (3) size of the mass; (4) free fluid in cul-de-sac; (5) collor doppler. Each parameter received a grade from 0 to 2. Grade 0 represented bad prognosis, favorable parameters received grade 2 and borderline parameters received grade one. The success rate with a single dose of methotrexate was 69.0% (29/42). The color doppler was performed in 20 of the 42 patients; in this group of 20 patients the success rate was 75.0% (15/20). In the 22 patients who were not submitted to the color doppler, the average grade of the score in the successful cases was 6.6, and in the unsuccessful it was 3.1. In the group who underwent the doppler (20 patients) the average was 7.9 in the successful cases and 4.2 in the cases that failed. In the present study the cut-off grade was 5, for most of the patients with grades above 5 had a successful treatment (15/16 - 93.75%), while grades equal or below 5 failed. The score will help to indicate the best cases for the medical treatment. We do not advise the treatment when the grade is equal or below 5. Therefore, we can predict a good evolution of the treatment when the grade is above five.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1999;21(3):153-157
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000300006
Purpose: to evaluate the efficacy of color Doppler in the prediction of results of the systemic treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy with a single dose of methotrexate. Methodology: twenty patients with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were: hemodynamic stability, adnexal mass < 5.0 cm and decline of the titers of beta-hCG less than 15% in an interval of 24 h. The exclusion criteria were hepatic or renal disease and blood dyscrasias. Follow-up was by serial determinations of beta-hCG on days 4 and 7 after the beginning of the treatment, and weekly until the titers were negative. The patients were classified into 3 groups according to color Doppler: high risk (trophoblastic flow covering more than 2/3 of the mass), medium risk (when trophoblastic flow compromised 1/3 to 2/3 of tubal mass) and low risk (when trophoblastic flow covered less than 1/3 of the mass). Results: the success of the treatment with a single dose was 75% (15/20); when a second dose of MTX was used, the success rate was 85%. When comparing color Doppler with the results of the medical treatment, we had high risk in 4 patients and in all the treatment failed; medium and low risk in 16 patients, and in 15 the treatment was successful. Conclusion: color Doppler showing high risk indicated an unfavorable situation for the medical treatment with MTX, while medium and low risk in color doppler were favorable situations for the clinical treatment. However, these results should always be analyzed in association with the evolution curve of the beta-hCG titers.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1999;21(3):153-157
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000300006
Purpose: to evaluate the efficacy of color Doppler in the prediction of results of the systemic treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy with a single dose of methotrexate. Methodology: twenty patients with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were: hemodynamic stability, adnexal mass < 5.0 cm and decline of the titers of beta-hCG less than 15% in an interval of 24 h. The exclusion criteria were hepatic or renal disease and blood dyscrasias. Follow-up was by serial determinations of beta-hCG on days 4 and 7 after the beginning of the treatment, and weekly until the titers were negative. The patients were classified into 3 groups according to color Doppler: high risk (trophoblastic flow covering more than 2/3 of the mass), medium risk (when trophoblastic flow compromised 1/3 to 2/3 of tubal mass) and low risk (when trophoblastic flow covered less than 1/3 of the mass). Results: the success of the treatment with a single dose was 75% (15/20); when a second dose of MTX was used, the success rate was 85%. When comparing color Doppler with the results of the medical treatment, we had high risk in 4 patients and in all the treatment failed; medium and low risk in 16 patients, and in 15 the treatment was successful. Conclusion: color Doppler showing high risk indicated an unfavorable situation for the medical treatment with MTX, while medium and low risk in color doppler were favorable situations for the clinical treatment. However, these results should always be analyzed in association with the evolution curve of the beta-hCG titers.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1999;21(6):347-350
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000600008
Purpose: to evaluate safety and efficacy of intra-amniotic injection of methotrexate (MTX) for treatment of viable cervical pregnancy. Methods: four women with viable cervical pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound (US) were treated with transvaginal injection of MTX (1 mg/kg) under sonographic control. The follow-up was made with serial dosages of beta-hCG on days 1, 4 and 7 after injection and weekly until the titers were negative. Results: the patients were treated with success. The time for the titers of beta-hCG to become negative after the treatment was: 62 days (case 1), 84 days (case 2), 28 days (case 3) and 10 days (case 4). Conclusion: intra-amniotic injection of MTX can be used to avoid surgery in cases of viable cervical pregnancy.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1999;21(6):347-350
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000600008
Purpose: to evaluate safety and efficacy of intra-amniotic injection of methotrexate (MTX) for treatment of viable cervical pregnancy. Methods: four women with viable cervical pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound (US) were treated with transvaginal injection of MTX (1 mg/kg) under sonographic control. The follow-up was made with serial dosages of beta-hCG on days 1, 4 and 7 after injection and weekly until the titers were negative. Results: the patients were treated with success. The time for the titers of beta-hCG to become negative after the treatment was: 62 days (case 1), 84 days (case 2), 28 days (case 3) and 10 days (case 4). Conclusion: intra-amniotic injection of MTX can be used to avoid surgery in cases of viable cervical pregnancy.