Ectopic Pregnancy and Its Diagnosis

Ectopic Pregnancy

Sample

1. Patient serum needed for Beta- HCG level.
2. Biopsy of the fallopian tube or ovarian tissue for surgical pathology will show placental villi and trophoblastic cells.

Definition of Ectopic Pregnancy

• This is defined as the product of conception implanted outside the uterine cavity.
  • Or implantation of the fertilized ovum other location than the uterus.

Pathophysiology

1. Ectopic pregnancy is a gynecological issue because of differential diagnosis.
2. This is the implantation of the fetus out of the usual place of the uterine cavity.
3. This may be seen in 1% of pregnancies.
4. The most common site is:
   1. The ampullary part of the fallopian tube is 80%.
   2. The isthmic portion of the fallopian tube is 12%.
   1. The fimbria of the fallopian tube is 5%.
   2. The abdomen is 1.4%.
   3. Ovary is 0.2%.
   4. Cervix is 0.2%.
      

      Ectopic pregnancy sites

4. The most common site is the fallopian tubes, also called tubal pregnancy.
5. There are chances of ectopic pregnancy in 1 out of 50 pregnancies.
6. The hormonal changes are the same as a normal pregnancy.
   1. There is the cessation of the menstrual cycle.
   2. There is the elevation of the serum and urinary placental hormone.
   3. 50% of the cases show hypersecretory and decidual changes.
7. The surgical biopsy material takes many sections, particularly from the blood clot.
   1. Try to find the placental villi to confirm the ectopic pregnancy.

Pathogenesis of ectopic pregnancy:

1. The ectopic pregnancy is caused by:
   1. Infection or the scar formation of the fallopian tubes, which blocks the tube is almost seen in 50% of the cases.
   2. Due to previous surgery, which may cause scarring.
   3. Adhesion due to previous surgery on the fallopian tubes or pelvic area.
   4. Endometriosis may also block the passage of the ovum.
      

      Ectopic sites pathological changes

Complications of ectopic pregnancy are:

1. Intratubal hematoma also called hematosalpinx.
2. There may be an intraperitoneal hemorrhage.
3. Death of the ovum.
4. The tubal rupture and hemorrhage of the ectopic pregnancy lead to a fatal outcome.
   1. There is severe abdominal pain.
   2. The patient may go into shock.
   3. Immediate surgery can save a life.
5. 13% of these ectopic pregnancies may lead to maternal death.
6. If the diagnosis is not made in time, it leads to the death of the fetus and endangers the life of a pregnant lady.

Incidence of ectopic pregnancy

1. Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of death in the first trimester of pregnancy.
2. The majority of the cases >95% occur in the fallopian tubes.
3. Rest occurs in the ovary, cornua, and abdomen.

Sign and Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy

1. Most of the time, its diagnosis is missed.
2. Usually, there is abdominal pain. This may be of varying degrees and seen in 97% of the cases.
3. There may be vaginal bleeding (spotting). This abnormal bleeding is seen in 75% of the cases.
4. Menses are delayed in these ladies in 75% of the cases.
5. Adnexal tenderness on palpation is seen in 90% to 95%.
   1. Also, there is unilateral adnexal mass in 50% of the cases.
6. Fever is seen in about 5% of the cases.
7. There may be a hypovolemic shock as the presenting symptom in 14% of the cases.
8. The following signs and symptoms suggest an emergency surgical procedure:
   1. Severe tenderness.
   2. If there is abdominal rigidity or guarding.
   3. If there is a hypovolemic shock.
9. 25% of the ectopic pregnancy patients shows three classic presentations:
   1. Lower abdominal pain.
   2. Vaginal bleeding.
   3. Adnexal mass.
10. Sometimes, patients suspicious of ectopic pregnancy have threatened abortion, pelvic inflammatory disease, rupture of corpus luteal cyst, bleeding ovarian cyst, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

1. Hemoglobin <10 g/dL is reported in about 40% of the ectopic pregnancy cases.
2. There may be increased total white cells (leucocytosis) in about 50% of the cases.
3. The pregnancy test has variable sensitivity. Urine and serum pregnancy tests have 500 to 1000 mIU/mL sensitivity.
   1. A positive pregnancy test is not diagnostic of ectopic pregnancy. It will indicate only raised level of HCG.
4. Advise beta-HCG to confirm the pregnancy.
   1. Follow the normal dynamics of the HCG level. This will be disturbed in the ectopic pregnancy.
   2. Normally it increases every 48 to 72 hours until it reaches 10,000 to 20,000 IU/mL.
   3. Serial HCG levels are estimated to differentiate ectopic pregnancy from normal.
   4. If the HCG level does not rise at least 66% in 48 hours or HCG level falls in this period.
   5. If there is a failure to double (increase) the HCG level in 24 hours, at the 4 to 8 weeks of gestation occurs:
      1. In 66% of ectopic pregnancies.
      2. In 85% of the spontaneous abortion.
      3. In 15% of the normal pregnancies.
   6. But you can see the normal rate of rising in 15% of ectopic pregnancy.
5. Ultrasound is the most helpful tool.
   1. Transvaginal ultrasound is more sensitive.
6. Progesterone and HCG both predict the abnormal pregnancy than advising a single test of HCG.
7. Ectopic pregnancy:
   1. 97% of cases have Progesterone <12.6 ng/mL and HCG <3000 IU/L.
   2. Normal pregnancy has progesterone >12.6 ng/mL and HCG >3000 IU/L.
8. Progesterone level > 25 ng/ mL will assure the intrauterine pregnancy and no need for further laboratory tests.
   1. Progesterone level < 5 ng/mL strongly suggest abnormal pregnancy.

Treatment

1. The first line of management is surgical by laparoscopy.
2. Medically gives methotrexate I/M.

Follow-up

1. After removing the ectopic pregnancy, the HCG level remains typically detectable for four weeks.
2. Monitor the HCG level to ensure there is no leftover trophoblastic tissue.

 

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