Cervico-isthmic pregnancy: early diagnostic imaging and successful dual therapy for uterine-sparing treatment

Successful fertility preservation by expectant management of a cervico-isthmic pregnancy with fetal death in the second trimester: A case report

In a cervico-isthmic pregnancy, the risk of placenta accreta increases with advancing gestational age. Previous reports have detailed cases that required hysterectomy at delivery or artificial abortion at an early gestational age. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous reports on the management of a cervico-isthmic pregnancy with fetal death during the second trimester. A 33-year-old primigravid woman was diagnosed with a cervico-isthmic pregnancy and fetal death at 15 weeks of gestation. Placenta accreta was suspected; hence, we chose expectant management and to observe the patient for placental tissue regression. After 5 weeks of expectant management, the ultrasonographic findings suggested remission of placenta accreta. Therefore, we performed a cesarean delivery and terminated the pregnancy. All uterine contents were removed, and the uterus was preserved. In cervico-isthmic pregnancy cases with fetal death, as in the current case, the possibility of fertility preservation could be increased by observing for placental tissue regression through expectant management.

Placental Insertion into the Cervix with Cervical Shortening as a Clinical Sign to Suspect Cervico-Isthmic Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review

The clinical signs of cervico-isthmic pregnancy during pregnancy remain unknown. We herein report a case of cervico-isthmic pregnancy showing placental insertion into the cervix with cervical shortening, with a final diagnosis of placenta increta at the uterine body and cervix. A 33-year-old multiparous woman with a history of cesarean section was referred to our hospital at 7 weeks of gestation with suspected cesarean scar pregnancy. Cervical shortening with a cervical length of 14 mm was noted at 13 weeks of gestation. The placenta is gradually inserted into the cervix. An ultrasonographic examination and magnetic resonance imaging strongly suggested placenta accreta. We planned elective cesarean hysterectomy at 34 weeks of gestation. The pathological diagnosis was cervico-isthmic pregnancy with placenta increta at the uterine body and cervix. In conclusion, placental insertion into the cervix with cervical shortening in the early pregnancy period may be a clinical sign to suspect cervico-isthmic pregnancy.