Ovarian pregnancy: two case reports

Diagnosis and management of ectopic ovarian pregnancy: a rare case report

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. Its incidence is 0.5% to 1% of all ectopic gestations, or 1 in 7000 to 40,000 live births. The diagnosis is intricate and based on surgical and histopathological observations. Traditional risk factors for ovarian ectopic pregnancy are similar to those for tubal pregnancy, but use of an IUD seems to be disproportionately associated.

CASE REPORT

We report a rare case of spontaneous ectopic ovarian pregnancy of a 40-year-old woman, diagnosed with a ovarian pregnancy by ultrasound and treated by laparotomy in emergency obstetrical department of Ibn Rochd University Hospital of Casablanca.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Ovarian ectopic pregnancies occur through fertilization of an egg retained in the peritoneal cavity leading to implantation on the surface of the ovary. The increased incidence of ovarian ectopic pregnancies is associated with the increased use of artificial reproductive technologies (ART) and intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs). The diagnosis is difficult and a constant challenge for the gynecologist. Its management remains surgical therapy despite the progress in medical treatment.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare entity that has some special features. Its diagnosis is difficult and relies on criteria based on intraoperative findings. Its management remains surgical therapy despite the progress in medical treatment.

Ovarian ectopic pregnancy: the role of complex morphopathological assay. Review and case presentation

Ovarian ectopic pregnancy (OEP) represents the rarest type of ectopic pregnancy, accounting for 1-3% of this pathology. The diagnosis of this pathology is challenging due to the non-specific clinical aspects and the ultrasound examination hampered by the lack of visible gestational sac in the presence of hematocele and hemoperitoneum. The purpose of the extended histopathological (HP) examination was to identify particular aspects of the OEP trophoblast and to highlight potential local ovarian modifications which can determine pregnancy fixation at this level. The patient presented local favorable conditions for intraovarian nidation, conditions confirmed by the HP classical examination and by the immunohistochemical evaluation. We identified, using classical Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson's trichrome and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)-Hematoxylin, necrotic hemorrhage, accentuated vascular thrombosis and high density lymphoplasmocytary infiltrate. These modifications increased local adhesivity and cell destruction through hypoperfusion. Anti-cluster of differentiation antibodies (CD34, CD38, tryptase) revealed the low number of intravillous vessels and the high number of macrophages and mastocytes involved in the local inflammatory process heighten. We identified the presence of trophoblast tissue in the ovarian structure using anti-cytokeratin AE1∕AE3 (CK AE1∕AE3)/anti-cytokeratin 7 (CK7) antibodies. The anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and anti-vimentin (VIM) antibodies displayed the density of myofibroblasts and intravillous stromal cells and with the aid of anti-progesterone receptor (PR) antibody, we identified the corpus luteum hormonal response in the OEP. The placental villosities present a blocked multiplication process at the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) protein, confirmed by the Ki67 cell proliferation and tumor protein 63 (p63) immunomarkers. Anti-neuron specific enolase (NSE), anti-calretinin and anti-inhibin A antibodies showed the particular aspects of the granulosa and internal theca cells, which may be involved in oocyte release blockage, intraluteal and extraluteal fecundation of the OEP.

Primary Ovarian Pregnancy: A Case Series and Analysis

The preoperative diagnosis of primary ovarian pregnancy (POP) remains elusive and the final diagnosis relies heavily on histologic findings. The diagnostic criteria for POP, established in 1878 by Spiegelberg, are based primarily on the identification of an embryonic sac within the ovary and the localization of conception products therein. However, these diagnostic criteria may be overly strict, which may not only significantly underestimate the prevalence of POP, but also potentially mislead patient management. In this series, we present 7 cases that showed no embryonic sac within the ovary (thus not meeting the Spiegelberg criteria for POP), but were nonetheless classified by the authors as POP based on the unequivocal presence of chorionic villi and implantation sites within the ovary. Immmunohistochemical studies for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, human placental lactogen, and inhibin highlighted the trophoblastic populations. These findings indicate that POP may occur even if no embryonic sac is pathologically demonstrable. Accordingly, we propose the following modified diagnostic criteria for POP: (1) no pathologic evidence of ipsilateral fallopian tube involvement is present; and (2) evidences of gestation, including presence of chorionic villi and/or implantation site are present within the ovary. If both criteria are met, the diagnosis of POP should be rendered. These proposed diagnostic criteria should lead to more accurate diagnoses of POP, provide more contemporary insights into its true prevalence, heighten clinical awareness of the disease, and ultimately, optimize its clinical management.

Sonographic Detection of Ovarian Ectopic Pregnancy

Sonography is the imaging modality of choice to evaluate suspected intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancies. Determining the anatomic location of an ectopic pregnancy can be challenging, particularly when the ectopic is located external to the fallopian tube. Ovarian ectopic pregnancy is one of the rarest forms of nontubal ectopics. This report documents one such uncommon case of ovarian pregnancy in a woman presenting with light vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, with subsequent rupture and laparotomy. Histopathologic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of ovarian ectopic pregnancy.