Abdominal pregnancy--an obstetrical enigma

Against the Odds

The occurrence of an ectopic pregnancy that implants within the peritoneal cavity is a rare, life-threatening event. Poor maternal and fetal outcome, especially in pregnancies within the range considered to be viable, is the norm, with most abdominal ectopic pregnancies being terminated early in gestation. We present a case study in which the abdominal pregnancy was detected in the second trimester by sonography and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, both of which are considered essential diagnostic tools to provide optimal outcome for maternal and fetal well-being.

Prediction of location of gestational sac for pregnancy of unknown location at first sight during exploratory surgery using the ratio of hCG in haemoperitoneum and venous serum

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a practical method to predict the location of gestational sacs for pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) during exploratory surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Sixty-nine cases of PUL with a positive pregnancy test and haemoperitoneum but unknown location of the gestational sac at first sight on exploratory surgery were analysed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shanghai Jiaotong University. The level of hCG in the haemoperitoneum and venous serum were measured, and the ratio of hCG in haemoperitoneum and venous serum (Rp/v-hCG) was calculated. Rp/v-hCG<1.0 was taken to suggest an intrauterine gestational sac, and Rp/v-hCG>1.0 was taken to suggest an abdominal gestational sac. The sensitivity and specificity of Rp/v-hCG for predicting the location of the gestational sac were evaluated prospectively.

RESULTS

Among 69 cases of PUL, 17 cases (17/69) were ultimately diagnosed as abdominal gestational sacs before 9 weeks of gestation, and 52 cases (52/69) were ultimately diagnosed as intrauterine gestational sacs. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of Rp/v-hCG at the time of exploratory surgery for predicting the location of the gestational sac were 94.1% and 100%, respectively (kappa=0.96; P=0.039). The rate of missed diagnosis was 5.9%. The location of the gestational sac was determined during the initial exploratory procedure for 15 cases (15/17) with an abdominal gestational sac (1 case of splenic pregnancy was diagnosed during secondary surgery) and 37 cases (37/52) with an intrauterine gestational sac. With the exception of gestational sacs located in the pouch of Douglas (52.9%, 9/17), the gestational sacs (47.1%, 8/17) located in the other places were difficult to find.

CONCLUSIONS

Rp/v-hCG should be considered when exploratory surgery reveals no visible gestational sacs at first sight. If Rp/v-hCG is >1.0, more careful pelvic or abdominal exploration is required, rather than dilation and curettage, to locate abdominal gestational sacs.