Ectopic Pregnancy and Its Diagnosis
Ectopic Pregnancy
Sample for Ectopic Pregnancy
- Patient serum is needed for Beta- HCG level.
- 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 in a location other than the uterus.
Pathophysiology of Ectopic Pregnancy
- Ectopic pregnancy is a gynecological issue because of differential diagnosis.
- This is the implantation of the fetus out of the usual place of the uterine cavity.
- This may be seen in 1% of pregnancies.
- The most common site is:
- The ampullary part of the fallopian tube is 80%.
- The isthmic portion of the fallopian tube is 12%.
- The fimbria of the fallopian tube is 5%.
- The abdomen is 1.4%.
- The ovary is 0.2%.
- Cervix is 0.2%.
- The most common site is the fallopian tubes, also called a tubal pregnancy.
- There are chances of ectopic pregnancy in 1 out of 50 pregnancies.
- The hormonal changes are the same as in a normal pregnancy.
- There is the cessation of the menstrual cycle.
- There is an elevation of the serum and urinary placental hormone.
- 50% of the cases show hypersecretory and decidual changes.
- The surgical biopsy material takes many sections, particularly from the blood clot.
- Try to find the placental villi to confirm the ectopic pregnancy.
Pathogenesis of ectopic pregnancy:
- Ectopic pregnancy is caused by:
- Infection or the scar formation of the fallopian tubes, which block the tube, is almost seen in 50% of the cases.
- Due to previous surgery, which may cause scarring.
- Adhesion due to previous surgery on the fallopian tubes or pelvic area.
- Endometriosis may also block the passage of the ovum
Complications of ectopic pregnancy are:
- Intratubal hematoma also called hematosalpinx.
- There may be an intraperitoneal hemorrhage.
- Death of the ovum.
- The tubal rupture and hemorrhage of the ectopic pregnancy lead to a fatal outcome.
- There is severe abdominal pain.
- The patient may go into shock.
- Immediate surgery can save a life.
- 13% of these ectopic pregnancies may lead to maternal death.
- 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
- Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of death in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- The majority of the cases >95% occur in the fallopian tubes.
- Rest occurs in the ovary, cornua, and abdomen.
Signs and Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy
- Most of the time, its diagnosis is missed.
- Usually, there is abdominal pain. This may vary and be seen in 97% of the cases.
- There may be vaginal bleeding (spotting). This abnormal bleeding is seen in 75% of the cases.
- Menses are delayed in these ladies in 75% of the cases.
- Adnexal tenderness on palpation is seen in 90% to 95%.
- Also, there is unilateral adnexal mass in 50% of the cases.
- Fever is seen in about 5% of the cases.
- There may be a hypovolemic shock as the presenting symptom in 14% of the cases.
- The following signs and symptoms suggest an emergency surgical procedure:
- Severe tenderness.
- If there is abdominal rigidity or guarding.
- If there is a hypovolemic shock.
- 25% of ectopic pregnancy patients show three classic presentations:
- Lower abdominal pain.
- Vaginal bleeding.
- Adnexal mass.
- 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
- Hemoglobin <10 g/dL is reported in about 40% of ectopic pregnancy cases.
- There may be increased total white cells (leucocytosis) in about 50% of the cases.
- The pregnancy test has variable sensitivity. Urine and serum pregnancy tests have 500 to 1000 mIU/mL sensitivity.
- A positive pregnancy test is not diagnostic of ectopic pregnancy. It will indicate only raised level of HCG.
- Advise beta-HCG to confirm the pregnancy.
- Follow the normal dynamics of the HCG level. This will be disturbed in the ectopic pregnancy.
- Normally it increases every 48 to 72 hours until it reaches 10,000 to 20,000 IU/mL.
- Serial HCG levels are estimated to differentiate ectopic pregnancy from normal.
- If the HCG level does not rise at least 66% in 48 hours or the HCG level falls in this period.
- If there is a failure to double (increase) the HCG level in 24 hours, at the 4 to 8 weeks of gestation occurs:
- In 66% of ectopic pregnancies.
- In 85% of the spontaneous abortion.
- In 15% of normal pregnancies.
- But you can see the normal rate of rising in 15% of ectopic pregnancies.
- Ultrasound is the most helpful tool.
- Transvaginal ultrasound is more sensitive.
- Progesterone and HCG both predict abnormal pregnancy than advising a single test of HCG.
- Ectopic pregnancy:
- 97% of cases have Progesterone <12.6 ng/mL and HCG <3000 IU/L.
- Normal pregnancy has progesterone >12.6 ng/mL and HCG >3000 IU/L.
- Progesterone level > 25 ng/ mL will ensure intrauterine pregnancy and no need for further laboratory tests.
- Progesterone level < 5 ng/mL strongly suggests an abnormal pregnancy.
Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy
- The first line of management is surgical laparoscopy.
- Medically gives methotrexate I/M.
Follow-up
- After removing the ectopic pregnancy, the HCG level remains typically detectable for four weeks.
- Monitor the HCG level to ensure there is no leftover trophoblastic tissue.
Questions and answers:
Question 1: How you will diagnose ectopic pregnancy?
Question 2: How you will treat the ectopic pregnancy case?