Spontaneous ovarian heterotopic pregnancy

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Aug 9:2018:bcr2018225619. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-225619.

Abstract

Heterotopic pregnancy is a simultaneous intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy. We report a case of a spontaneous ovarian heterotopic pregnancy. A 36-year-old woman, gravida 7 para 4-1-1-5 at 4 weeks gestation (spontaneous conception), presented to the emergency department with vaginal spotting, lower abdominal cramps with human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) 10 772 mIU/mL (hCG at T0). Abdominal and pelvic examinations were benign. Transvaginal sonogram (TVS) showed an intrauterine gestational sac and yolk sac, no fetal pole visualised. She was discharged home with a diagnosis of threatened abortion. The patient returned to the emergency department 3 weeks later (T1) at 7 weeks gestation with recurrent vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. Her TVS showed an empty uterus with small amount of free fluid in the cul-de-sac. A small 2 cm round mass noted in the adnexa with hCG of 4663 mIU/mL (hCG at T1). Laparoscopy revealed normal fallopian tubes bilaterally and a ruptured right ovarian ectopic pregnancy. Pathology was consistent with ectopic pregnancy. Abnormal hCG patterns should raise suspicion for heterotopic pregnancy.

Keywords: obstetrics and gynaecology; pregnancy; reproductive medicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ovarian / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy, Ovarian / surgery
  • Risk Factors
  • Salpingectomy
  • Uterine Hemorrhage

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin