Ruptured heterotopic pregnancy: an unusual presentation of an uncommon clinical problem

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Nov 28:2012:bcr2012007423. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007423.

Abstract

A 30-year-old nulliparous lady presented to our Emergency Gynaecology Service with a 3-day history of epigastric pain and vomiting at 7 weeks of gestation. An intrauterine pregnancy had been confirmed 3 days earlier when she had attended with an episode of left-iliac fossa pain. Unfortunately, she became more unwell within 1 h of admission and as the cause of her symptoms was unclear, she was taken to the theatre for a joint gynaecology and general surgical diagnostic laparoscopy. This revealed a haemoperitoneum of 2 litres and a ruptured ectopic pregnancy in her left fallopian tube. A left salpingectomy was undertaken to remove the ectopic pregnancy. The patient made an excellent recovery and delivered a healthy baby at 39 weeks of gestation without further complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Hemoperitoneum / etiology
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy
  • Live Birth
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Heterotopic / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy, Heterotopic / surgery*
  • Rupture, Spontaneous / complications
  • Rupture, Spontaneous / diagnosis
  • Rupture, Spontaneous / surgery
  • Salpingectomy
  • Vomiting / etiology