Decidualised fallopian tube endometriotic implant causing spontaneous haemoperitoneum in a twin pregnancy

Pathology of the Salpinx: A Retrospective Literature Review

The fallopian tube is a common surgical specimen, yet there is limited research on the histomorphologic findings. This study seeks to review the various abnormalities found in the fallopian tube and establish the primary disease processes linked to it. These findings can provide valuable insights for future preventive healthcare measures. Utilizing PubMed, a search was conducted for articles published between 2009 and 2024 to investigate fallopian tube pathologies using case reports. The inclusion criteria focused on patients older than 18 years with confirmed or incidental fallopian tube pathology diagnoses. The study considered both common and uncommon presentations of fallopian tube pathologies, with a primary focus on identifying the presenting symptoms related to these conditions, such as primary infertility, severe abdominal pain, tachycardia, hypotension, and breathlessness (the last three could indicate a surgical emergency with ruptured ectopic pregnancy and subsequent hemoperitoneum). Fifteen studies were included in this review. The findings revealed three cases of genital tuberculosis, two cases of endometriosis, two cases of fallopian tube prolapse, three cases of ovarian cancer, and four cases of ectopic pregnancy. To confirm the presence of these conditions, histopathological examination was performed using specimens obtained through salpingectomy/salpingostomy. This study effectively highlighted the occurrence of rare presentations associated with common fallopian tube pathologies. By identifying different pathologies present in the fallopian tube, healthcare professionals can expand the range of existing pathologies that may be considered as potential differential diagnoses. This knowledge is essential in directing patient care and has the potential to improve patient outcomes significantly.

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy: a life-threatening maternal and fetal complication of endometriosis

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy (SHiP) is a complication of endometriosis. We describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of mother and fetus in 11 new cases of SHiP with endometriosis and 43 cases reported in the literature since 1995.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The 60 maternity hospitals in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France were contacted to identify cases of SHiP associated with endometriosis. . In parallel, a systematic review of the literature used the PRISMA chart to report published cases.

RESULTS

Fifty-four cases of SHIP associated with endometriosis are presented. Twenty-four patients (44%) conceived with assisted reproductive techniques. Hemoperitoneum occurred before delivery in 47/54 cases (87%).The average gestational age of occurrence was 27 weeks (13 weeks to 40+6 weeks). An hypovolemic shock was present in 24/51 (47%) of patients. Forty-six women (85%) were treated by laparotomy, 5 (9%) by laparoscopy, 2 (2%) by interventional radiology. The hemorrhage site was in the mediolateral compartment of the pelvis in 29 cases (54%), corresponding to bleeding from vessels in the broad ligament in 24/29 (83%) of these cases. The mean estimated blood loss was 1957 mL (150-7500 mL). Emergency peripartum hysterectomy was required in 3/54 cases (6%). There were no maternal deaths. The average gestational age at birth was 30 weeks (13+2 weeks to 42 weeks). The fetus died in 19/64 cases (30%).

CONCLUSION

SHiP is an underestimated potentially fatal complication of endometriosis. Maternal salvage by emergency laparotomy is usually required to identify and treat the bleeding site. Fetal prognosis remains poor.

A systematic review on endometriosis during pregnancy: diagnosis, misdiagnosis, complications and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, pregnancy was considered to have a positive effect on endometriosis and its painful symptoms due not only to blockage of ovulation preventing bleeding of endometriotic tissue but also to different metabolic, hormonal, immune and angiogenesis changes related to pregnancy. However, a growing literature is emerging on the role of endometriosis in affecting the development of pregnancy and its outcomes and also on the impact of pregnancy on endometriosis. The present article aims to underline the difficulty in diagnosing endometriotic lesions during pregnancy and discuss the options for the treatment of decidualized endometriosis in relation to imaging and symptomatology; to describe all the possible acute complications of pregnancy caused by pre-existing endometriosis and evaluate potential treatments of these complications; to assess whether endometriosis affects pregnancy outcome and hypothesize mechanisms to explain the underlying relationships.

METHODS

This systematic review is based on material searched and obtained via Pubmed and Medline between January 1950 and March 2015. Peer-reviewed, English-language journal articles examining the impact of endometriosis on pregnancy and vice versa were included in this article.

RESULTS

Changes of the endometriotic lesions may occur during pregnancy caused by the modifications of the hormonal milieu, posing a clinical dilemma due to their atypical appearance. The management of these events is actually challenging as only few cases have been described and the review of available literature evidenced a lack of formal estimates of their incidence. Acute complications of endometriosis during pregnancy, such as spontaneous hemoperitoneum, bowel and ovarian complications, represent rare but life-threatening conditions that require, in most of the cases, surgical operations to be managed. Due to the unpredictability of these complications, no specific recommendation for additional interventions to the routinely monitoring of pregnancy of women with known history of endometriosis is advisable. Even if the results of the published studies are controversial, some evidence is suggestive of an association of endometriosis with spontaneous miscarriage, preterm birth and small for gestational age babies. A correlation of endometriosis with placenta previa (odds ratio from 1.67 to 15.1 according to various studies) has been demonstrated, possibly linked to the abnormal frequency and amplitude of uterine contractions observed in women affected. Finally, there is no evidence that prophylactic surgery would prevent the negative impact of endometriosis itself on pregnancy outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications of endometriosis during pregnancy are rare and there is no evidence that the disease has a major detrimental effect on pregnancy outcome. Therefore, pregnant women with endometriosis can be reassured on the course of their pregnancies although the physicians should be aware of the potential increased risk of placenta previa. Current evidence does not support any modification of conventional monitoring of pregnancy in patients with endometriosis.