Ectopic Pregnancy in Lower Segment Uterine Scar

Summary: A case of ectopic pregnancy in a lower uterine segment scar following previous Caesarean section is reported. A significant scar defect may result in deep implantation within the myometrium with the risk of persistent pain and bleeding followed inevitably by uterine rupture. In this report we discuss a number of management options. Except in the special situation of superficial implantation in a shallow scar defect where there is ultrasound evidence of continuity of the gestational sac with the uterine cavity we would strongly advise termination of the pregnancy.     

Scar Ectopic Pregnancy

Scar ectopic pregnancy is the rarest form of ectopic pregnancy and has been increasingly diagnosed all over the world. This is a life-threatening form of abnormal implantation of embryo within the myometrium and fibrous tissues in a previous scar on the uterus, especially following caesarean section. With the increasing rate of caesarean section, there is a substantial increase in this condition with better understanding of this disease. The early and accurate diagnosis with timely management can prevent pregnancy complications such as haemorrhage, uterine rupture and can preserve fertility.     

Sonographic Lower Uterine Segment Thickness and Risk of Uterine Scar Defect: A Systematic Review

ObjectiveTo study the diagnostic accuracy of sonographic measurements of the lower uterine segment (LUS) thickness near term in predicting uterine scar defects in women with prior Caesarean section (CS).Data SourcesPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library (1965–2009).Methods of Study SelectionStudies of populations of women with previous low transverse CS who underwent third-trimester evaluation of LUS thickness were selected. We retrieved articles in which number of patients, sensitivity, and specificity to predict a uterine scar defect were available.Data SynthesisTwelve eligible studies including 1834 women were identified. Uterine scar defect was reported in a total of 121 cases (6.6%). Seven studies examined the full LUS thickness only, four examined the myometrial layer specifically, and one examined both measurements. Weighted mean differences in LUS thickness and associated 95% confidence intervals between women with and without uterine scar defect were calculated. Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) analysis and summary diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) were used to evaluate and compare the area under the curve (AUC) and the association between LUS thickness and uterine scar defect. Women with a uterine scar defect had thinner full LUS and thinner myometrial layer (weighted mean difference of 0.98 mm; 95% CI 0.37 to 1.59, P = 0.002; and 1.13 mm; 95% CI 0.32 to 1.94 mm, P = 0.006, respectively). SROC analysis showed a stronger association between full LUS thickness and uterine scar defect (AUC: 0.84 ± 0.03, P < 0.001) than between myometrial layer and scar defect (AUC: 0.75 ± 0.05, P < 0.01). The optimal cut-off value varied from 2.0 to 3.5 mm for full LUS thickness and from 1.4 to 2.0 for myometrial layer.ConclusionSonographic LUS thickness is a strong predictor for uterine scar defect in women with prior Caesarean section. However, because of the heterogeneity of the studies we analyzed, no ideal cut-off value can yet be recommended, which underlines the need for more standardized measurement techniques in future studies.     

子宫动脉栓塞术应用于剖宫产瘢痕妊娠和宫颈妊娠的疗效与安全性

目的：探讨子宫动脉栓塞术（UAE）用于治疗剖宫产瘢痕妊娠（CSP）和宫颈妊娠（CEP）的疗效及安全性。方法：对2011年4月1日-2013年4月1日在天津市中心妇产科医院确诊并行UAE联合甲氨蝶呤（MTX）治疗的76例CSP患者及14例CEP患者的资料进行统计分析。结果：90例患者在行UAE后均未出现严重的不良反应和并发症,且都不需行重复性UAE或局部病灶切除术或子宫切除术。UAE术前有胎心与无胎心的CSP和CEP患者的术后失血量差异均无统计学意义（t分别为0.234和0.730,P＞0.05）;术前CSP和CEP患者的血人绒毛膜促性腺激素（hCG）值的高低与术后失血量均不存在相关性（r分别为0.063和0.293,P＞0.05）;而CSP和CEP患者UAE术后血hCG值下降明显者比下降不明显者的术后失血量明显减少（t分别为-6.683和-5.461,P=0.000）;不同类型的CSP的患者在UAE术后的失血量差异也有统计学意义,即胎囊突向浆膜面者失血量多于胎囊突向宫腔者（t=5.731,P=0.000）;UAE术后患者的主要不良反应为发热和腹痛;成功随访的70例患者于术后30-62 d都恢复了月经。结论：UAE联合MTX经子宫动脉局部灌注用于治疗CSP和CEP具有安全有效性。     

Molar Ectopic Pregnancy in the Uterine Cornus

Cornual pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of hydatiform molar pregnancy is 1 in 1000 to 2000 pregnancies. Molar cornual ectopic pregnancy is extremely rare. A 41-year-old nulliparous woman was admitted via the emergency department because of vaginal bleeding for 2 weeks. Transvaginal sonography exhibited a heterogeneous hypoechoic shadow in the endometrium that suggested a hematometra including blood clots and tissue, and a multicystic echogenic mass, with flow at color Doppler ultrasonography, in the lateral wall of the uterus. A laparoscopic cornuostomy was performed. Pathologic analysis demonstrated placental tissue with features consistent with a partial molar pregnancy. Systemic methotrexate therapy was administered to treat the possible remnants of the molar pregnancy. Molar cornual ectopic pregnancy can be successfully treated with laparoscopic cornuostomy and systemic methotrexate therapy.     

子宫下段修补术在瘢痕子宫妊娠患者再次剖宫产术中的临床应用

目的:探讨再次剖宫产术中行子宫下段修补术在瘢痕子宫妊娠患者中的临床应用价值。方法:回顾性分析我院2014年1~12月产科就诊的80例瘢痕子宫妊娠患者,随机分组,40例患者术中行子宫下段修补术为修补组,另外40例未修补下段者为非修补组。比较两组患者术后24小时内出血量、术后再次使用强效宫缩剂例数、手术时间、新生儿体重、新生儿出生5分钟Apgar评分、产褥病率及术后住院时间等。结果:修补组产后出血量为376.00±107.00ml,非修补组为432.00±135.56ml,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),两组患者在手术时间、新生儿体重、出生5分钟Apgar评分、产褥病率、再次使用强效宫缩剂例数、术后住院时间等比较均差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:瘢痕子宫妊娠患者再次剖宫产中行子宫下段修补术可以减少产后出血量,其方法简便有效。     

Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy: Laparoscopic Resection and Total Scar Dehiscence Repair

Study Objective

To illustrate a laparoscopic technique for the resection of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, associated with isthmocele repair.

Laparoscopic Management of Partial Molar Caesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy

Study ObjectiveTo demonstrate laparoscopic management of a molar scar ectopic pregnancy.DesignStepwise demonstration of the technique with narrated video footage.SettingCesarean scar ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy are 2 separate extremely rare pathologies with an incidence range from 1/1800 to 1/2500 of all pregnancies for the former [1,2]. The concurrence of both cesarean scar ectopic and molar pregnancy is furthermore exceptionally rare, and there are only 8 reported cases of cesarean scar molar pregnancy in literature till date [3]. There is a high risk of uterine rupture, uncontrolled hemorrhage, hysterectomy, and significant maternal morbidity owing to thin myometrium and fibrous scar after cesarean section [4,5]. Knowledge and awareness about this clinical condition aid in early diagnosis and reduced morbidity. Here, we present a rare case of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy that was operated for failed medical management and diagnosed to be molar scar ectopic pregnancy intraoperatively.InterventionsTotal laparoscopic approach to molar scar ectopic pregnancy excision involved the following steps, strategies to minimize blood loss, and complete enucleation of tissue: (1) Hysteroscopy to localize the scar ectopic and its type and size (2) Bladder dissection to expose scar (3) Intramyometrial injection of vasopressin (4) Use of harmonic scalpel to delineate the gestational sac (5) Complete evacuation of products of conception (6) Excision of scar tissue (7) Uterine repair in 2 layersConclusionThere are only 8 reported cases of cesarean scar molar pregnancy in literature till date, and all patients had at least 2 previous uterine curettages with abnormally increased β-hCG levels. The clinical manifestations were varied, the most common symptom being vaginal bleeding for a period >1 month, including our case [3]. Considering the limitations of ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and serum hCG levels in the differential diagnosis of molar cesarean scar pregnancy from normal cesarean scar pregnancy, postoperative specimen should be sent for histologic examination [6]. As seen in our case, the possibility of molar pregnancy at cesarean scar ectopic site should be kept in mind in cases with rising β-hCG levels despite continuous medical interventions, which was being medically managed for 3 months. Our case is the first to be successfully managed with laparoscopic surgery as the previously reported cases were managed with suction evacuation, chemotherapy, laparotomy, or hysterectomy [3].     

The Development of the Lower Uterine Segment

Summary: The change in position between the lower placental border and the internal cervical os has been measured serially by compound ultrasonic scanning at different stages of gestation in a group of patients with a relatively low insertion of the placenta. These measurements, in conjunction with the clinical estimation as to whether or not placenta praevia was present at delivery, have been used to calculate the normal pattern of development of the lower uterine segment during pregnancy. Factors which apparently interfere with this pattern of development and the value of this knowledge in relation to placental localisation is presented.     

Hysteroscopic Surgery of Ectopic Pregnancy in the Cesarean Section Scar

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of hysteroscopy in the treatment of caesarean section scar pregnancy.DesignRetrospective review.ParticipantsThirty-nine patients with cesarean scar pregnancy.InterventionsBetween January 2006 and June 2008, 39 patients with caesarean section scar pregnancy underwent hysteroscopic removal of conceptive tissues in our department. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively.Measurements and Main ResultsThe diagnosis was confirmed by serum human chorionic gonadotropic concentration and at ultrasonographic or magnetic resonance imaging. All patients underwent hysteroscopic removal of conceptive tissues under ultrasonographic guidance. Before surgery, 36 patients received 25 mg of oral mifepristone, 25 mg, twice a day for 3 days, and 3 patients received an injection of methotrexate salt, 50 mg, and underwent preoperative bilateral uterine artery embolization. Results were reported as good in 37 patients; only 2 patients required additional surgery.ConclusionHysteroscopic removal of conceptive tissues implanted in a cesarean section scar seems to be a feasible and safe procedure that might be considered as a treatment option.     

子宫动脉栓塞术在子宫瘢痕妊娠治疗中的利弊

子宫瘢痕妊娠是指既往有剖宫产史或宫腔操作史的女性，再次妊娠时胚胎组织种植于子宫瘢痕处，发病率呈逐年升高的趋势，对母婴两者的危害程度相对较高。随着子宫动脉栓塞术（uterine artery embolism，UAE）在治疗子宫瘢痕妊娠方面的广泛应用，展现出减少出血、保留子宫、降低死亡率等显著优势的同时，逐渐显露出一些严重不良的并发症，如疼痛、闭经、宫腔粘连和生殖功能降低等。目前的治疗效果仍不理想，通过阐明UAE在子宫瘢痕妊娠治疗过程中的利弊，以期通过改善UAE技术达到更好的治疗效果。     

剖宫产后切口妊娠的临床诊治分析

目的:研究剖宫产后子宫切口妊娠的临床表现及治疗方法等特征,为临床医生早期诊断、早期处理本病提供依据。方法:对25例患者的病史、临床表现、诊断方法以及治疗方法进行回顾性分析。结果:25例患者中有23例经阴道超声检查或彩色多普勒超声检查确诊;本病初诊误诊19例,误诊率76%,25例患者中保守治疗22例,21例痊愈,占95.45%;2例治疗失败而行全子宫切除术。结论:有剖宫产史的妇女因停经就诊时,要常规行阴道超声检查,对阴道超声怀疑切口妊娠的病例,有必要行彩色多普勒超声检查;彩色多普勒超声检查可作为诊断切口妊娠的主要方法;甲氨蝶呤加清宫术可作为治疗切口妊娠的主要方法,可有效地避免子宫切除。     

静脉超声造影在子宫剖宫产后瘢痕妊娠中的临床应用

目的:探讨静脉超声造影在子宫剖宫产后瘢痕妊娠中的临床应用价值。方法:对20例可疑子宫剖宫产瘢痕妊娠的病例进行静脉超声造影检查,造影剂为意大利Bracco公司生产的第二代声学造影剂声诺维(Sono Vue),造影时重点观察病灶处造影剂的增强与消退情况,记录灌注模式以及病灶与子宫浆膜层、肌层的关系。结果:瘢痕妊娠病灶类型可分为胎囊型与包块型。超声造影显示,相对于子宫肌层而言,病灶处均为早增强、高增强;增强模式为快进慢出;当切口处病灶与肌层关系在二维超声下辨别不清时,造影可显示肌层与浆膜层是否完整以及病灶是否已侵入肌层,甚至浆膜层。结论:静脉超声造影可以明确诊断瘢痕妊娠,进而提供更丰富的信息指导治疗。     

Intramural Ectopic Pregnancy: Treatment Using Uterine Artery Embolization

Herein is described the case of a 28-year-old woman in whom uterine artery embolization (UAE) was performed to treat intramural ectopic pregnancy. The intramural ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed at magnetic resonance imaging, which showed a gestational sac surrounded completely by myometrium. The UAE procedure was uncomplicated, with satisfactory results. Intramural ectopic pregnancy may be treated using UAE, which aids in maintaining fertility.