Conservative treatment of cervical pregnancy by curettage and local prostaglandin injection

Conservative Management With a Multimodal Approach of a 12-Week Cervical Ectopic Pregnancy With Fetal Megacystis

Cervical ectopic pregnancy is the rarest kind of ectopic pregnancy, and it is known as the implantation of an embryo into the cervical mucosa. It is commonly associated with complications such as hemorrhage from the cervix and can lead to severe consequences if it is not treated early. For this reason, the treatment for a cervical pregnancy often requires an abdominal hysterectomy. To avoid such radical management, several conservative methods of termination have been used. In this paper, we report a complex management of one of our ectopic cervical cases, which includes embolization of the uterine arteries, treatment with methotrexate and mifepristone, evacuation of the pregnancy followed by local hemostatic sutures and application of a balloon in the cervix. The post-operative period was uneventful. After a three-day postoperative stay, the patient was discharged. The management options employed in the presented case achieved the goal of preserving fertility for our patient. There are no specific guidelines for the treatment of cervical pregnancies in advanced gestational age.

Intra-amniotic and systemic administration of methotrexate with concomitant surgical evacuation of 11 + 5 weeks cervical ectopic pregnancy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Cervical pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. The management of cervical pregnancy is challenging because of the rarity of the condition, late presentation, which is associated with increased risk of failed medical treatment, and excessive post-evacuation bleeding that may require hysterectomy. There is no good evidence in the literature regarding the pharmacological management of living cervical ectopic pregnancy of more than 9 + 0 weeks of gestation, and there is no standard protocol on methotrexate doses in these cases.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present this case to describe a concomitant medical and surgical management of a living 11 + 5 weeks cervical pregnancy. The initial beta-human chorionic gonadotropins (ß-hCG) serum level was 108,730 IU/L. The patient received 60 mg of methotrexate intra-amniotically followed by another dose of 60 mg of methotrexate intramuscularly 24 h later. Fetal heartbeats stopped on day 03. On day 07, the ß-hCG was 37,397 IU/L. On day 13, the patient had evacuation of the remaining products of conception with the insertion of an intracervical Foley catheter to minimize the bleeding. On day 34, the ß-hCG was negative.

CONCLUSION

The concomitant use of methotrexate to induce fetal demise along with surgical evacuation may be considered in the management of advanced cervical pregnancy to avoid excessive blood loss, and ultimately hysterectomy.

Diagnosis and Management of Ectopic Pregnancy: A Comparative Review of Major National Guidelines

Importance

Ectopic pregnancies (EPs) represent a severe early pregnancy complication that is associated with increased risks of maternal morbidity and mortality. Over the years, there has been a significant reduction in the mortality from this complication by improving the diagnostic tools and the treatment options.

Objective

The aim of this study was to review and compare the recommendations from published guidelines on this potentially fatal condition.

Evidence Acquisition

A descriptive review of guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on EP was carried out.

Results

All the guidelines point out the crucial role of sonography in the prompt diagnosis of EP and describe similar sonographic findings. There is a consensus on the indications and contraindications to the use of methotrexate, the post-treatment surveillance, and the criteria of expectant management. The indications for a surgical approach are not well established, although the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence agree that a laparoscopy is preferred to laparotomy for hemodynamically stable patients. The latter is considered a better option only in emergency conditions. However, there is controversy in the recommended methotrexate protocols and the evaluation of β-human chorionic gonadotrophin and progesterone levels.

Conclusion

It is of paramount importance to build consistent international protocols, so as to help clinicians all over the world diagnose EPs in the most timely and accurate way and subsequently treat them effectively as a nonurgent medical condition, with the intention to lower the mortality and morbidity rate.

Single-dose intramuscular methotrexate for treatment of cervical ectopic pregnancy: A case report

Introduction

Cervical ectopic pregnancy (CEP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening phenomenon, and conclusive management guidelines have not been elucidated. Patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are at increased risk of CEP and noninvasive, fertility-sparing treatments are necessary for this population. This case report demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a single dose of intramuscular methotrexate for CEP in early gestation.

Case Description

A 45-year-old patient (G3P0030) presenting with painless vaginal bleeding was found to have CEP on transvaginal ultrasound at 5 weeks and 1 day of gestation after undergoing day-5 frozen embryo transfer. She was given one 50 mg/m² dose of intramuscular methotrexate and she remained in a stable condition while being observed in the hospital. Her beta-hCG level decreased 38.2% between day 4 and day 7 after treatment and returned to nonpregnancy levels by day 28.

Discussion

A single dose of intramuscular methotrexate is an effective, noninvasive, fertility-sparing method of treatment for CEP in patients who are early in gestation and hemodynamically stable. This is a recommended option, especially for those undergoing fertility treatment. Further studies need to be performed to formulate national guidelines regarding the treatment of CEP.

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Cervical ectopic pregnancy (CEP) is rare and potentially life-threatening.

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Use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) increases patients' risk of CEP.

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Most patients with CEP after the use of ART desire fertility-sparing treatment when possible.

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In the case described, single-dose methotrexate was used as a fertility-sparing treatment of CEP.

Cervical pregnancy management: An updated stepwise approach and algorithm

The aim of this short review was to present and categorizes most of updated successful interventions for cervical pregnancy (CP) management in a simple designed easily recognized diagram together with a proposed algorithm of these interventions beside author clinical experience. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in the following electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals and Cochrane electronic databases. Keywords including cervical ectopic pregnancy, medical treatment, conservative management, successful interventions, uterine artery embolization and hysteroscopy were used to search these various databases. There are different successful CP management interventions reported in the literature varied from simple to complex regimens according to the patient situation, obstetrician experience and availability of health services. These approaches were categorized in a stepwise diagram and a proposed algorithm. Up till now, there is no consensus regarding the optimal CP management. To the best of knowledge, this review was unprecedented in organizing and categorizing the different successful CP management interventions. The proposed currently undertaken stepwise approach diagram and algorithm highlights the rapidly changing management of CP and open the door for further meta-analysis.

Combined Systemic and Hysteroscopic Intra-Amniotic Injection of Methotrexate Associated with Hysteroscopic Resection for Cervical Pregnancy: A Cutting-Edge Approach for an Uncommon Condition

This case report of a 36-year-old woman with a diagnosis of cervical pregnancy describes a novel approach to this rare form of ectopic pregnancy, which was successfully treated with systemic and local methotrexate (MTX) therapy combined with hysteroscopic resection. After local and systemic administration of MTX, the patient underwent hysteroscopic resection of the cervical pregnancy using a 27 bipolar resectoscope with a 4-mm loop. The cervical pregnancy was completely treated, and satisfactory hemostasis was achieved with electrocoagulation. The reported case and literature review demonstrate that the combination of systemic and local (hysteroscopic) administration of MTX with hysteroscopic resection could offer the possibility of a safe, successful, minimally invasive, and fertility-sparing surgical treatment for cervical pregnancy.

Diagnosis and management of cervical ectopic pregnancy

Cervical ectopic pregnancy (CP) is a rare condition with an incidence of less than 0.1% of all ectopic pregnancies. It is associated with a high morbidity and mortality potential. Timely intervention is required to preserve fertility and avoid the need for a hysterectomy. A case of CP is reported and the challenges in the diagnosis and management are discussed.

Acute hemorrhage related to a residual cervical pregnancy: management with curettage, tamponade, and cerclage

Cervical ectopic pregnancy is uncommon, with no universally accepted protocol for conservative management of acute hemorrhage due to residual cervical ectopic pregnancy. Herein is presented the case of a 33-year-old woman with profuse vaginal bleeding 3 months after receiving treatment including intraamniotic potassium chloride injection, systemic methotrexate, and uterine artery embolization because of a cervical ectopic pregnancy. A residual cervical pregnancy was suspected. Hemorrhage was controlled using curettage, tamponade with a Bakri balloon, and cerclage. The balloon and cerclage were removed on postoperative day 2, with no recurrence of symptoms. Our experience suggests that a combination of curettage, balloon tamponade, and cerclage may be considered in the management of cervical ectopic pregnancies with acute hemorrhage, in particular in patients desiring future childbearing.

Cervical pregnancy treated by uterine artery embolisation combined with office hysteroscopy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of uterine artery embolisation in conjunction with hysteroscopic resection of trophoblast in the conservative treatment of cervical ectopic pregnancies.

STUDY DESIGN

Five women diagnosed with cervical pregnancies at University Hospital of Foggia, Italy, between May 2009 and February 2012 underwent uterine artery embolisation followed by office hysteroscopic resection of trophoblast. Data on operating time, blood loss, blood transfusion, conversion to other techniques, complications related to surgery, change of serum β-hCG level, hospitalisation days and outcome of the women after discharge were collected.

RESULTS

The mean hysteroscopic operative time was 9.8 min, and the blood loss was negligible in all cases. Blood transfusion was not needed for any of the women. None of the women required conversion to other techniques. In all cases the operations were uneventful. The serum β-hCG level in all the cases declined to normal within 15 days of surgery. The total hospitalisation time was 4 days in all the cases. No vaginal bleeding or other side effects were observed throughout and after the treatment, all women recovered without complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Uterine artery embolisation with office hysteroscopic resection is an effective option in treatment of cervical ectopic pregnancy.

Cervico-isthmic pregnancy successfully treated with bipolar resection following methotrexate administration: case report and literature review

Cervico-isthmic pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Recent advances in high-resolution ultrasound have made the diagnosis of early cervico-isthmic pregnancies easier. Early diagnosis allows a more conservative therapeutic approach that avoids hysterectomy and preserves fertility. Here is reported a case of viable cervico-isthmic pregnancy successfully treated with resectoscopy after failed systemic and local (hysteroscopic) methotrexate administration. The resectoscopic excision of the cervico-isthmic pregnancy was carried out with the technique of slicing, using a 27 bipolar resectoscope with a 4-mm loop. The procedure was successful with the complete removal of the ectopic pregnancy, while maintaining satisfactory haemostasis. A literature review shows that no consensus exists for the treatment of cervico-isthmic pregnancies. We report a case of viable cervico-isthmic pregnancy successfully treated with resectoscopy after failed systemic and local (hysteroscopical) methotrexate administration. The resectoscopic excision of cervico-isthmic pregnancy was carried out with the technique of slicing, using a 27 bipolar resectoscope with a 4-mm loop. The procedure was successful with the complete removal of the ectopic pregnancy, while maintaining satisfactory haemostasis.

Cervical ectopics: less can be more

A 27-year-old woman with a positive urinary-pregnancy test, complaining of slight vaginal bleeding and some diffuse lower abdominal pain, presented to the emergency gynaecology unit at the Royal Free Hospital. Her initial ultrasound scan was inconclusive, and so serial serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) blood tests were carried out. These demonstrated a suboptimal increase. A second transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) was therefore performed, which showed a live cervical ectopic pregnancy. The patient, who remained haemodynamically stable, was admitted. She was treated with intramuscular methotrexate. She was given a second dose of methotrexate after 1 week, since her beta hCG levels did not demonstrate a satisfactory fall. A rapid decrease in serum hCG was then observed and the patient was then discharged. An outpatient TVUS was normal. The patient remained well throughout her treatment, never suffered any profuse vaginal bleeding, and thus surgical intervention was avoided.

An efficient conservative treatment modality for cervical pregnancy: angiographic uterine artery embolization followed by immediate curettage

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate a conservative treatment modality, angiographic uterine artery embolization (UAE) followed by immediate curettage, in the treatment of cervical pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

Sixteen patients with cervical pregnancy were first treated by UAE to control or prevent vaginal bleeding. Curettage of cervical canal was performed immediately after UAE to remove gestational tissue from the cervix. Clinical outcome assessments include vaginal bleeding, serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin level, cervical mass, menstruation, fertility, and hospitalization time.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were successfully treated by UAE followed by immediate curettage. One patient at very early gestational age underwent UAE only. Quick regression of serum human chorionic gonadotropin level and cervical mass, fertility preservation, and a short hospital stay were observed.

CONCLUSION

UAE followed by immediate curettage is an efficient conservative treatment for cervical pregnancy. This procedure may become a useful alternative to other conservative approaches.

Use of Tuohy needle for intraamniotic methotrexate injection through the cervical canal in a cervical pregnancy after failure of systemic methotrexate treatment

A case of cervical pregnancy resistant to systemic methotrexate (MTX) administration is presented. A 41 year old patient with cervical pregnancy at 6 weeks 4 days' gestation was successfully treated by intraamniotic MTX injection through the cervical canal using Tuohy needle after failure of systemic MTX treatment.

Successful management of a cervical twin pregnancy: neoadjuvant systemic methotrexate and prophylactic high cervical cerclage before curettage

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience in managing a case of viable cervical twin pregnancy with systemic methotrexate and 2 weeks later with endocervical curettage after placing prophylactic high cervical cerclage.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

University medical center.

PATIENT(S)

A 36-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 0, complaining of vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain, in whom cervical twin pregnancy was diagnosed at the sixth week of gestation.

INTERVENTION(S)

Systemic methotrexate was given as first-line treatment. Two weeks later because of persisting bleeding, endocervical curettage was performed after closing cervical arteries and placing but not tightening high cervical cerclage.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Pregnancy termination, bleeding control, and preservation of fertility.

RESULT(S)

Notwithstanding the ligature of cervical arteries at curettage, heavy bleeding occurred, which was controlled rapidly by tightening the cerclage. Curettage then was completed successfully. Postoperative period was uneventful. Two years later the woman delivered vaginally.

CONCLUSION(S)

In case of cervical twin pregnancy methotrexate pretreatment and prophylactic placement of high cervical cerclage, but not ligature of cervical arteries, before curettage showed to be effective in terminating pregnancy ensuring effective bleeding control and preservation of fertility.

Cervical ectopic pregnancy on the portio: conservative case management and clinical review

OBJECTIVE

To present a case and management of an early ectopic pregnancy on the portio.

DESIGN

Case study and literature review.

SETTING

Hospital outpatient clinic.

PATIENT(S)

A 38-year-old woman who presented in the outpatient clinic with a 2-week history of painless acyclic vaginal bleeding.

INTERVENTION(S)

Excision of the ectopic pregnancy under local anesthesia after clinical examination, urine pregnancy test, and serum ss-hCG measurement.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Conservative treatment options and preservation of patient's reproductive capacity.

RESULT(S)

Serum ss-hCG was raised. Complete excision of the ectopic lesion was performed without the need for administration of chemotherapeutic agents and curettage. Histology revealed fragments of the cervical wall with a layer of chorionic giant cells and one intact chorionic villi.

CONCLUSION(S)

Cervical pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. It can be associated with high morbidity and adverse consequences for future fertility, but spontaneous abortion is also possible. We present a case and successful management of an early ectopic pregnancy on the surface of the portio.

Successful management of a consecutive cervical pregnancy by sonographically guided transvaginal local injection: case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to describe the successful management of a recurrent cervical pregnancy with local injection and to review similarly treated cases to determine adverse outcomes.

METHODS

A case of a recurrent cervical pregnancy treated with transvaginal local injection was reported. A MEDLINE English language search identified 90 cases of cervical pregnancy treated with local therapy. This literature was analyzed with regard to the various demographic and outcome variables described.

RESULTS

Successful use of the transvaginal local approach is described. A review of cases identified a mean maternal age of 33.6 years with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 7.5 weeks. Bleeding was the most common presenting sign (79%). The mean beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level at the time of diagnosis was 27,798 IU with an average time to resolution of 7.5 weeks. The most common risk factor was a history of curettage (69%), followed by previous cesarean delivery (35%). An additional dose of methotrexate was needed in 6% of cases. Bleeding requiring alternate procedures was present in 5% of cases. There were no complications in 81% of cases. The need for transfusion and development of infection were seen in 3% of cases each. There was 1 case (1.1%) requiring hysterectomy, and no maternal deaths were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative management of cervical pregnancy using local injection has been reported to have a low complication rate and a high efficacy for cure.

Angiographic uterine artery embolization followed by immediate curettage: An efficient treatment for controlling heavy bleeding and avoiding recurrent bleeding in cervical pregnancy

Two cases of cervical pregnancy with heavy bleeding successfully treated by uterine artery embolization (UAE) followed by immediate curettage are described in this report. Case 1 demonstrated intermittent bleeding after serious bleeding was successfully controlled by UAE. Serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) level rose remarkably after a short time decline. Transvaginal sonography consistently revealed a heterogeneous mass in the cervix. Repeated UAE followed by immediate curettage was performed and complete resolution was achieved. Case 2 was also successfully managed by UAE followed by immediate curettage after failure of medical treatment. This report suggests that UAE followed by immediate curettage is a safe and efficient procedure for controlling heavy bleeding and avoiding recurrent bleeding when fertility capacity is desired in cases of cervical pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity and high beta-hCG concentration.

Clinical outcomes of patients treated for cervical pregnancy with or without methotrexate

The objective of this study is to describe the clinical outcomes of patients treated for cervical pregnancy with or without methotrexate (MTX) and to evaluate the effects of MTX in the treatment of cervical pregnancy. Between January 1993 and February 2000, 31 patients were diagnosed with cervical pregnancy. Twenty-two patients were treated with MTX chemotherapy and nine patients were treated with surgical procedures without MTX treatment. In the non-MTX treatment group, three patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, five required adjuvant procedures to control the bleeding during dilatation and curettage (D&C) and only one patient was treated with a simple D&C. In the MTX treatment group, fourteen (63.6%) patients were treated with only MTX and eight (36.4%) cases underwent concomitant procedures (simple curettage, curettage and Foley catheter tamponade, cervical cerclage, ligation of the descending branches of uterine arteries, or ligation of hypogastric arteries). The uterus was preserved in all cases and three women delivered healthy babies in their subsequent pregnancy. In conclusion, early diagnosis, appropriate MTX regimen in combination of necessary adjuvant conservative procedures could contribute to successful treatment with preservation of the uterus and future reproductive ability.

Cervical pregnancy treated with transvaginal ultrasound-guided intra-amniotic instillation of methotrexate

AIM

Aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of single transvaginal ultrasound-guided intraamniotic installation of methotrexate in the management of cervical pregnancy with concurrent review of the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six patients with cervical pregnancy are included in the study. All patients were treated with single transvaginal ultrasound-guided intraamniotic installation of 70 mg of methotrexate plus folic acid p.o. The main presenting symptoms were mild to moderate vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal cramp-like pain, resembling the clinical presentation of a threatened abortion. The typical ultrasound findings were the absence of intrauterine gestational sac and the detection of a gestational sac within the cervical canal, invading the anterior or the posterior wall of the cervix and normal appearance of the adnexa, bilaterally. The hourglass-shaped cervix was not characteristic at 5 weeks of gestation but it was at 8 weeks of gestation.

DISCUSSION

Ultrasound-guided intraamniotic installation of methotrexate in the management of cervical pregnancy appears to be an effective and safe method but the choice of the method should be depended on the gestational age of cervical pregnancy, the presence of active bleeding or not and its severity, the desire for preservation of future fertility, the presence of coexisting valuable intrauterine pregnancy and the experience of the physician in charge.

Conservative treatment by chemotherapy and uterine arteries embolization of a cesarean scar pregnancy

We report a case of a viable cesarean scar pregnancy diagnosed at 7 weeks of gestation. The patient was conservatively managed by chemotherapy, intra-amniotic instillation of potassium chloride, and bilateral uterine artery embolization. The gestational sac was not sonographically visible 44 days after the treatment. No surgical treatment was necessary.

Cervical ectopic pregnancy: a case report and literature review

We report a case of cervical ectopic pregnancy that was diagnosed using transabdominal ultrasound. Conservative management with methotrexate administration was undertaken and, following a period of heavy bleeding, bilateral uterine artery embolization was performed. Two weeks after presentation, the gestational sac was shown to have reduced in size. We describe the ultrasound findings in this case and discuss those reported in the literature along with the available management options.

Uterine artery embolization--a successful treatment to control bleeding cervical pregnancy with a simultaneous intrauterine gestation

A case of a woman suffering from a bleeding heterotopic cervical pregnancy is described. The concurrent cervical pregnancy and intrauterine gestation were diagnosed by ultrasound and bleeding was initially controlled with selective fluoroscopic uterine artery embolization. A selective fetal reduction was done with ultrasound-guided intracardiac potassium chloride. Uterine artery embolization has been used successfully to control haemorrhage in cervical pregnancies when the main goal was to allow preservation of the uterus, thus maintaining potential fertility. This is the first report of arterial embolization used to control bleeding for maintaining a concurrent intrauterine heterotopic pregnancy in an in-vitro fertilization patient. Unfortunately, subsequent conservative measures led to undesired outcome. This procedure initially controlled the bleeding without disrupting the intrauterine fetal cardiac activity.

Surgical and medical management of tubal and non-tubal ectopic pregnancies

This article highlights recent findings in the diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. While the search for the ideal biochemical marker for ectopic pregnancy continues, new protocols have been described for the management of persistent ectopic pregnancy. The role of nuclear marker Ki-67 in trophoblastic proliferation and the only randomized trial to date involving systemic methotrexate and laparoscopic surgery are discussed. The management of cervical, interstitial and heterotopic pregnancies are reviewed.