Single high dose of local methotrexate for the management of relatively advanced ectopic pregnancies

Evaluation of a scoring system to predict treatment success with single-dose methotrexate in ectopic pregnancy

PURPOSE

This study sought to assess the efficacy of a newly developed scoring system in predicting treatment outcomes for ectopic pregnancy among patients undergoing single-dose methotrexate therapy. The primary research question centered on the reliability and predictive accuracy of objective parameters in determining methotrexate therapy success.

METHODS

Conducted as a retrospective single-center cohort study, data from 172 ectopic pregnancy patients treated with methotrexate between January 2021 and January 2023 were analyzed. Parameters including adnexal mass size, peritoneal fluid presence, yolk sac identification, endometrial thickness, ectopic pregnancy location, and initial B-hCG levels were meticulously evaluated for their association with treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

Following the exclusion of 21 emergency surgery cases, the final analysis comprised 151 patients. Notable associations were observed between specific parameters (fetal cardiac activity, adnexal mass size  > 3.5 cm, peritoneal fluid presence, yolk sac identification, endometrial thickness  > 10 mm, and initial B-hCG levels) and treatment outcomes (p < 0.001). Additionally, the novel scoring system demonstrated promising predictive performance. At a cutoff of 2.50, it achieved a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 59.7%. Increasing the cutoff to 3.50 resulted in a sensitivity of 94.0%, with a specificity of 46.3%.

CONCLUSION

Objective parameters, particularly those integrated into the developed scoring system, exhibited substantial associations with methotrexate therapy outcomes in ectopic pregnancy. These findings underscore the potential of an objective scoring model to significantly influence clinical decision-making in therapy, offering avenues for enhanced prognostication and patient care in treatment outcomes.

Successful Non-surgical Management of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy in the scar of a previous cesarean section contributes to significant maternal morbidity in the first trimester due to a significantly higher risk of uterine rupture if left undetected. The routine scans done in the first trimester serve as an important screening tool in the detection of such an ectopic pregnancy. Early detection can aid in making a paradigm shift from a surgical to a more conservative approach for the management of such pregnancies. Here, we report a case of a cesarean scar pregnancy diagnosed in the sixth week of gestation which was managed non-surgically with methotrexate and intracardiac potassium chloride injection.

Ectopic pregnancy treatment by combination therapy

Detectability of early stages of ectopic pregnancies has increased due to improvements in ultrasonographic and biochemical techniques. Since the patients’ future procreative plans must be taken into consideration when commencing treatment, the goal of this work was to compare the effects of treatment methods and their impact on fertility. The study included 91 patients treated surgically for ectopic pregnancy. The choice of treatment depended on patients’ general condition, ultrasonographic evaluation and serum level of beta-hCG. A combination of laparoscopic and conservative systemic treatment was applied in 70% of cases. More rapid beta-hCG reduction was noted when laparoscopy and intra-oviductal injection of hyperosmolar glucose or methotrexate (MTX) were combined with intramuscular administration of MTX at a dose of 50 mg/m2. Follow-up examination of 66 patients revealed that the greatest number of spontaneous pregnancies (48%) resulted after this combination therapy. We conclude that this combination treatment is safe and provides satisfactory results in terms of future fertility.

Current issues in medical management of ectopic pregnancy

This review focuses on current medical therapy for unruptured ectopic pregnancy. Recently emerging issues include early diagnosis, treatment costs, intratubal methotrexate injection, medical treatment of cervical and interstitial ectopic pregnancies, and future fertility potential after methotrexate therapy. In addition, new clinical practice guidelines identify optimal candidates for medical therapy.

Ectopic pregnancy: an update

This review addresses recent publications that investigate etiology, epidemiology and different modalities in diagnosis and therapy for ectopic pregnancy. A significant proportion of recent work has focused in the development of new diagnostic tools to aid in the early detection of ectopic pregnancy. Diagnostic modalities have included systemic and local markers, vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, cervical fetal fibronectin, and hormonal level determinations. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, color flow mapping and endometrial thickness have been evaluated. New studies have investigated controversial issues related to the cost of the medical versus surgical treatment and the use of different medications and techniques for the management of ectopic pregnancy. Most important of all, several lines of investigation have addressed the use of human chorionic gonadotropin, algorithms, and scoring systems as prognostic indicators of successful therapy and to determine the risk of complications. The management of cervical, interstitial and heterotopic pregnancy is evaluated in this review and a summary of recent proposed diagnostic tools and concepts in management is also presented.

Evidence-based management of ectopic pregnancy

In selected cases, medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate is as effective as laparoscopic surgery. However, medical treatment might have a more negative impact on the health-related quality of life than surgical treatment. This is partly because of the long resolution time after medical treatment. New evidence suggests that combining methotrexate and mifepristone can shorten this resolution time.