Pregnancy outcomes after surgical treatment of ovarian pregnancy

Ultrasound Classification and Preoperative Ultrasound Diagnosis Analysis of Ovarian Ectopic Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

A classification system of ovarian ectopic pregnancies (OEP) could aid in their management. This study aimed to investigate the ultrasound classification and preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of OEP.

METHODS

This retrospective case series study analyzed the clinical and ultrasound imaging data of 68 pregnant women diagnosed and confirmed with OEP at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital affiliated with Tongji University between January 2015 and March 2023. The study focused on examining the ultrasound characteristics of different types of ovarian pregnancies and the accuracy of preoperative ultrasound diagnoses.

RESULTS

The study included 68 patients with a median age of 30 (22-47) years. There were 43 cases (63.2%) of ruptured OEP and 25 (36.8%) of unruptured OEP. The unruptured cases were subclassified as embryonic sac type (n = 16) and heterogeneous mass type (n = 9). Preoperative ultrasound accurately diagnosed 19 cases (27.9%) of OEP, including 10 (62.50%) of the embryonic sac type, 4 (44.44%) of the heterogeneous mass type, and 5 (11.63%) of the ruptured type. Preoperative ultrasonography showed that embryonic sac type OEP was characterized by an intra-ovarian cystic structure with a distinctive hyperechoic ring and, in some cases (8 out of 16), the presence of embryonic buds and/or yolk sacs. Ruptured OEP was characterized by mixed masses in the pelvic cavity with minimal or significant free pelvic fluid, an unclear boundary between the mass and the ovary, and limited or no vascularity.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound may be used to determine the type of OEP preoperatively, with a higher diagnostic yield for the embryonic sac subtype. Preoperative ultrasonographic classification may enhance the preoperative diagnosis of OEP.

Ovarian ectopic pregnancy: clinical characteristics, ultrasound diagnosis and management

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical, ultrasound and biochemical characteristics of ovarian ectopic pregnancy (OEP) with those of tubal ectopic pregnancy (TEP).

METHODS

This was a retrospective case-control study of women with OEP and those with TEP seen at a single center between December 2010 and February 2021. OEP was defined as a pregnancy located completely or partially within the ovarian parenchyma, seen separately to a corpus luteum, if a corpus luteum was present within the ipsilateral ovary. We compared demographic features, risk factors, clinical presentation, ultrasound findings and outcomes, such as blood loss at surgery, need for blood transfusion, length of hospital stay, follow-up and future pregnancy outcome, between cases of OEP and TEP.

RESULTS

Overall, 20 women with OEP were identified and compared to 100 women with TEP. A total of 15/20 (75%) OEPs were diagnosed correctly on the first ultrasound scan. There was no difference between the groups in terms of maternal age, gestational age, gravidity, parity or risk factors. Compared with TEP, OEP was more likely to present with abdominal pain without vaginal bleeding (12/20 (60%) vs 13/100 (13%); odds ratio (OR), 10.0 (95% CI, 3.45-29.20); P < 0.01), contain an embryo with cardiac activity (3/20 (15%) vs 2/100 (2%); OR, 8.7 (95% CI, 1.34-55.65); P = 0.02) and have severe hemoperitoneum on ultrasound (9/20 (45%) vs 8/100 (8%); OR, 9.4 (95% CI, 3.01-29.40); P < 0.01), and had a higher volume of blood loss at surgery (median, 700 mL vs 100 mL; P < 0.01). All surgically managed OEPs had successful laparoscopic treatment (18 excisions, one wedge resection) with preservation of the ovary. Only one (5%) case of OEP required a blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

OEP is more likely than TEP to contain an embryo and to present with severe hemoperitoneum. In a dedicated early pregnancy setting, the majority of OEPs were detected on an ultrasound scan at the initial visit, facilitating optimal minimally invasive surgical management, reducing the risk of blood transfusion and oophorectomy. Our findings can be used as a reference for clinicians who may not otherwise encounter this rare condition. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Case Report: Ovarian pregnancy, a rare but lethal condition: An analysis of 112 cases

Study Objective

To explore how to improve the treatment, and prognosis of ovarian pregnancy (OP).

Patients

A total of 111 OP patients, one of the patients suffered from OP twice.

Results

In this study, 112 OP cases confirmed by postoperative pathology were retrospectively analyzed. Common risk factors for OP were previous abdominal surgery (39.29%) and intrauterine device use (18.75%). We modified the ultrasonic classification into four types: gestational sac type, hematoma type I, hematoma type II, and intraperitoneal hemorrhage type. Among these four types, the proportion of patients who underwent emergency surgery as initial treatment after admission was 68.75%, 10.00%, 92.00%, and 81.36%, respectively. The treatment for hematoma type I patients was often delayed. The rate of OP rupture was 86.61%. All methotrexate therapy for OP patients failed. All these 112 cases underwent surgery treatment finally. The surgical procedures were pregnancy ectomy and ovarian reconstruction by laparoscopy or laparotomy. No significant differences were observed in the operation time or intraoperative blood loss between laparoscopy and laparotomy. Laparoscopy showed less influence on patients regarding length of hospital stay and postoperative fever than laparotomy. Further, 49 patients who desired fertility were followed up over 3 years. Among them, 24 (48.98%) experienced spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy.

Conclusion

Among the four modified ultrasonic classifications, hematoma type I was associated with more delays in surgical time. Laparoscopic surgery was a better choice for OP treatment. The reproductive prognosis of OP patients was promising.

Ruptured ovarian ectopic pregnancy presenting with an acute abdomen

An ectopic pregnancy occurs in 2% of all pregnancies. A primary ovarian ectopic (OP) is a rare entity and occurs in <2% of all ectopic gestations. It may present in those individuals who take ovulatory drugs, use an intrauterine device or have undergone in vitro fertilisation or embryo transfer. Multiparity and a younger age are other recognised risk factors. Diagnosing an OP pregnancy remains a challenge and it may be misdiagnosed as a bleeding luteal cyst, a haemorrhagic ovarian cyst or a tubal pregnancy by ultrasound scan. The diagnosis is often only established at laparoscopy following histopathological examination. A ruptured OP is a potentially life-threatening condition due to its potential for haemorrhage and hemodynamic collapse. Hence, early diagnosis is crucial to prevent serious morbidity and mortality. The authors present the case of a multiparous woman in her late 30s presenting with a seizure and lower abdominal pain at 6 weeks gestation. Her beta human chorionic gonadotropin was >9000 Miu/mL. A transvaginal ultrasound scan showed no evidence of an intrauterine pregnancy. There was free fluid in the pelvis. She was hemodynamically stable. She underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy, which showed hemoperitoneum and a ruptured left OP pregnancy. She underwent a left oophorectomy. Histology confirmed chorionic villi within the ovarian stroma. This case demonstrates the challenges in preoperative diagnosis of a ruptured OP pregnancy and acts as a cautionary reminder that individuals can present with hemodynamic stability. Rarely, as in this case, an OP pregnancy can occur without the presence of risk factors. Despite its rarity, a ruptured OP pregnancy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of women of reproductive age presenting to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain and a positive pregnancy test.

Unruptured ovarian ectopic pregnancy: Two case reports and literature review

In clinical practice, ovarian pregnancy is extremely rare and is always found to be ruptured. A definitive diagnosis for ruptured ovarian pregnancy is difficult to obtain. We present two cases of unruptured ovarian pregnancies detected during laparoscopy and review existing literature to better understand the clinical characteristics of ectopic pregnancies in this rare site. Intrauterine devices, assisted reproductive technology, and intrauterine operations are all high-risk factors in ovarian pregnancy. Moreover, menopause, abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding are clinical manifestations. Ovarian pregnancy can be diagnosed using serum hCG, transvaginal ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. Laparoscopy is the treatment of choice for ovarian pregnancy. It is recommended that the intact gestational sac be excised and the ovarian function be protected to the greatest extent possible during the operation. More definitive diagnosis of ovarian pregnancy must be reported in order to gain a better understanding of ovarian pregnancy.

Analysis of Surgical Procedure of Four Cases of Ovarian Pregnancies Treated with Laparoscopic Surgery

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare disease, accounting for 0.5%–3% of ectopic pregnancies. Ovarian pregnancy risk factors and preoperative diagnosis have been extensively reported. However, its histopathology and surgical findings have been poorly studied. To examine appropriate surgical procedures, we investigated the clinical features, surgical findings, and histopathological examinations of four ovarian pregnancy cases treated in our hospital. In histopathological examination, most specimens did not contain ovarian tissues; in some cases, villous tissues were buried in a clot. Therefore, evaluating the appropriateness of surgical resection range from histopathological images was difficult. However, the postoperative course was favorable; no cases manifested complications. Considering all these facts, we regarded the surgical procedures of the four cases in this study as appropriate. For the treatment of ovarian pregnancies, especially for the outward development type, a sufficient therapeutic effect may be achieved even without extensive excision of the ovarian tissues by laparoscopic surgery.

Postoperative reproductive outcomes in women with ovarian pregnancy: A retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVE

The reproductive outcomes of ovarian pregnancy are currently unknown. Therefore, the objective of our study was to report the pregnancy outcomes of women with laparoscopically treated ovarian pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective case analysis, unpublished cases of ovarian pregnancy between 2009 and 2016 were reviewed. Women were followed up for 3 years to obtain subsequent pregnancy data.

RESULTS

A total of 21 women who intended to become pregnant were included in this study. Predisposing risk factors for ovarian pregnancy including previous pelvic surgery (23.81%), presentation of pelvic endometriosis (23.81%), and prior intrauterine device insertion (9.52%) were identified. The major symptom at presentation was abdominal pain (85.71%), and no preoperative sonographic diagnosis of ovarian pregnancy was identified. Laparoscopic wedge resection was performed in most women (90.48%). During the 3-year follow-up period, spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy was observed in 13 women (61.90%), 2 women (9.52%) became pregnant through artificial insemination treatment, and 6 women are not able to get pregnant (28.57%). None of the women experienced recurrent ectopic pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

The postoperative pregnancy outcomes of women with ovarian pregnancy were encouraging. In this study, the spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy rate was favorable, and no cases of recurrent ectopic pregnancy were reported.

The Unexpected Ovarian Pregnancy at Laparoscopy: A Review of Management

Ovarian ectopic pregnancies are a rare occurrence; however the incidence is on the rise. Preoperative diagnosis remains difficult due to nonspecific clinical symptoms and USS findings. Most patients undergo diagnostic laparoscopy with subsequent surgical management. We present the case of a 32-year-old female who presented with vaginal bleeding and an unsited pregnancy, with a BhCG of 24693. Formal USS described unruptured right tubal ectopic with ovarian pregnancy being diagnosed at laparoscopy. A wedge resection was conducted to preserve ovarian function. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and BhCG levels returned to zero (nonpregnant) in an outpatient setting. Although laparoscopy remains the gold standard of diagnosis and treatment, in this case report we discuss benefits of early diagnosis for fertility conserving management, including nonsurgical options.

Case Report of Ectopic Ovarian Pregnancy Following Fresh Embryo Transfer

BACKGROUND

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare and challenging clinical phenomenon. Recent studies have identified assisted reproductive treatments and infertility as risk factors. However, neither a definite mechanism nor clear risk factors were identified and therefore prevention strategies are yet unavailable.

CLINICAL CASE

In this article, we present a case of ovarian pregnancy occurring following in vitro fertilization treatment and a fresh embryo transfer. The couple was diagnosed with unexplained infertility and no identifiable risk factors for extrauterine pregnancy. The diagnosis of ovarian pregnancy was made during explorative laparoscopy performed due to suspected extrauterine pregnancy. The patient had normal intra- and postoperative course.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian pregnancy is an infrequent and a challenging diagnosis. Yet, late diagnosis and lack of appropriate intervention may have long-term implications. Several mechanisms and risk factors are proposed, and their acknowledgment may improve early diagnosis and prevention of complications.

Ovarian ectopic pregnancy in adolescence

Ovarian pregnancy is one of the rarest types of extrauterine pregnancy. Its preoperative diagnosis remains a challenge since it presents quite similarly to tubal pregnancy and complicated ovarian cysts. Although in most cases, histology is necessary to confirm the diagnosis, we present an ovarian pregnancy in a teenager, correctly diagnosed during ultrasound examination.

Ovarian pregnancy associated with a fresh blastocyst transfer following in vitro fertilization

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare subtype of ectopic pregnancy, and its mechanisms have not been clarified. We report a case of ovarian pregnancy that supports a blastocyst migration mechanism. An infertile woman became pregnant after a single blastocyst transfer following in vitro fertilization during a fresh non-donor cycle. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed a gestational sac-like structure containing an active fetus that was located adjacent to the corpus luteum of the right ovary. Laparoscopy identified a red, swollen implantation site in the ovary, which was completely removed by wedge resection without damaging the remaining parenchyma. This case demonstrated that a fresh blastocyst transferred into the endometrial cavity migrated through the fallopian tube, implanted on an ovarian surface, and formed an ovarian pregnancy.

Unusual ectopic pregnancies: sonographic findings and implications for management

Ectopic pregnancy is a considerable source of morbidity and mortality for women of childbearing age. Improved detection and increased risk factors have led to a dramatic rise in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in recent years. Early diagnosis is critical for the health of the patient as well as the success rate of future pregnancies. Besides laparoscopy, sonography is the mainstay for evaluating ectopic pregnancy. It is important to understand the sonographic features of ectopic pregnancies, including unusual cases that occur outside the fallopian tube.

Risk factors and clinical features of ovarian pregnancy: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for ovarian pregnancy (OP) and compare clinical features between OP and tubal pregnancy (TP) patients.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

A case-control study was conducted from January 2005 to May 2014. Women diagnosed with OP were recruited as the case group (n=71), 145 women with TP and 146 with intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) were matched as controls at a ratio of 1:2:2. Women who refused interviews or provided incomplete information were excluded.

RESULTS

OP risk was lower than TP risk in women with serological evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection (adjusted OR1 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.52), previous adnexal surgery (adjusted OR1 0.25, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.95), and current levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive use (adjusted OR1 0.24, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.78). In vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) carried a higher risk of OP (adjusted OR1 12.18, 95% CI 2.23 to 66.58) than natural conception. When Controlled by IUP women, current users of intrauterine devices (IUDs) carried a higher risk of OP than non-users of any contraceptives (adjusted OR2 9.60, 95% CI 1.76 to 42.20). β-Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels on the day of surgery were higher in OP patients than in TP patients (p<0.01). Women with OP were less likely to initially present with vaginal bleeding than those with TP (p=0.02). Moreover, shock (p=0.02), rupture (p<0.01), haemoperitoneum (p<0.01) and emergency laparotomy (p<0.01) were more common in the OP group than in the TP group.

CONCLUSIONS

IVF-ET and IUD use may be risk factors for OP, and OP patients tend to have high β-hCG levels and a poor clinical outcome (shock, rupture, haemoperitoneum and need for emergency laparotomy). Our findings may contribute to the prevention and early diagnosis of OP.

Accurate preoperative diagnosis of ovarian pregnancy with transvaginal scan

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare variant of ectopic pregnancy, and an accurate preoperative diagnosis is very challenging. Dr. Saint Monnissey described the first reported case of ovarian pregnancy in 17th century. Transvaginal ultrasonography is a valuable tool in identifying an ovarian pregnancy from other types of ectopic pregnancies. Management with laparoscopy or laparotomy is required in all cases, and in almost all cases, ovary can be preserved since implantation is usually superficial (Koo et al.; 2011). A single case of an ovarian pregnancy, consistent with Spiegelberg's criteria is presented here. This case history demonstrates the use of ultrasonography (USG) and surgery in the diagnosis and treatment, respectively, of the ovarian pregnancy. As we step into an era where in vitro fertilization rate is on its hike, one should be aware that incidence of ovarian pregnancy is also increasing, necessitating a high index of suspicion.

Ovarian pregnancy resulting from cryopreserved blastocyst transfer

Ovarian pregnancy very rarely occurs and its exact mechanism is unclear. Here, we report a case of ovarian pregnancy resulting from cryopreserved blastocyst transfer. The patient was a 34-year-old woman who had undergone bilateral ovarian cystectomy for endometriosis. Both fallopian tubes indicated normal findings on laparoscopic surgery, and we removed the gestational product of the right ovary. Pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of right ovarian pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the major complications of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Although ovarian pregnancy is an extremely rare occurrence, the possibility of developing this event after cryopreserved blastocyst transfer should be recognized.