Uterine artery embolization followed by dilation and curettage within 24 hours compared with systemic methotrexate for cesarean scar pregnancy

Objective

To assess the efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) combined with dilation and curettage (D&C) within 24 hours for the treatment of a cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), compared with methotrexate and D&C.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 119 women with CSP was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China, during 2009–2012. Twenty-six women received systemic methotrexate followed by D&C, and 93 women were treated with UAE followed by D&C within 24 hours.

Results

Mean blood loss was 261.0 ± 357.4 mL in the methotrexate group versus 14.1 ± 40.6 mL in the UAE group (P < 0.001). The time to resolution of the level of β-human chorionic gonadotropin was 40.5 ± 17.2 days versus 15.4 ± 7.7 days (P < 0.001), respectively. The duration of hospitalization was 14.6 ± 9.2 days versus 6.2 ± 3.7 days (P < 0.001), respectively. An additional intervention was needed in 9 (35%) women in the methotrexate group and in 5 (5%) in the UAE group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

UAE combined with D&C within 24 hours was an effective uterine preservation treatment for CSP, and was associated with less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay than administration of methotrexate followed by D&C.     

Risk factors for intraoperative hemorrhage at evacuation of a cesarean scar pregnancy following uterine artery embolization

Objective

To determine risk factors associated with massive uterine bleeding during dilation and suction curettage (D&C) after uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

Methods

Data from 128 CSP patients treated with D&C after UAE were analyzed to assess risk factors associated with massive uterine bleeding (blood loss 500 mL or more) during D&C after UAE.

Results

In total, 15 CSP patients had massive bleeding during D&C after UAE. Univariate analysis showed that a greater gestational age (GA), a larger CSP mass size, a thinner myometrium at the implantation site, a GA of 8 weeks or more, a CSP mass diameter of 6 cm or more, and evidence of fetal heartbeat were risk factors for massive bleeding (P < 0.05). In a binary logistic regression analysis, GA of 8 weeks or more and CSP mass diameter of 6 cm or more remained as the only significant risk factors for massive bleeding (OR 11.49 [95% CI 1.08–122.13] and OR 96.59 [95% CI 6.20–150.57], respectively; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

For CSP masses with a GA of 8 weeks or more and a diameter of 6 cm or more, the outcome of surgical evacuation after UAE tends to be unsatisfactory.     

Cesarean scar pregnancy: quantitative assessment of uterine neovascularization with 3-dimensional color power Doppler imaging and successful treatment with uterine artery embolization

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a 3-dimensional virtual organ computer-aided analysis imaging system for the monitoring of the quantification of changes of uterine neovascularization before and after successful treatment with uterine artery embolization in cesarean scar pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: A case of cesarean scar pregnancy that was associated with extensive uterine neovascularization was diagnosed at 8 weeks of gestation with the 3-dimensional virtual organ computer-aided analysis imaging system. After appropriate counseling, a bilateral uterine arteries embolization procedure was performed with nonresorbable microspheres by interventional radiologists. RESULTS: The gestational cystic mass at the site of previous cesarean scar completely disappeared at the follow-up examination 3 months later. CONCLUSION: A 3-dimensional virtual organ computer-aided analysis imaging system can be used for the monitoring of the quantification of changes of uterine neovascularization before and after successful treatment with uterine artery embolization in cesarean scar pregnancy.     

Methotrexate therapy followed by suction curettage followed by Foley tamponade for caesarean scar pregnancy

Objectives

Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a very rare and dangerous form of pregnancy because of the increased risk of rupture and excessive hemorrhage. There is currently no consensus on the treatment. We studied if methotrexate (MTX) therapy followed by suction curettage followed by Foley tamponade was a viable treatment for patients with CSP.

Study design

Forty-five patients with CSP in our hospital received a single dose of 50 mg/m² MTX by intramuscular injection. If gestational cardiac activity was seen on transvaginal ultrasound, local injection of MTX was given. After 7 days, suction curettage was performed to remove the retained products of conception and blood clot (CSP mass) under transabdominal sonography (TAS) guidance. After the suction curettage, a Foley catheter balloon was placed into the isthmic portion of cervix.

Results

Forty-two subjects were successfully treated and 3 subjects failed treatment. The mean estimated blood loss of all 45 patients was 706.89 ± 642.08 (100-3000) ml. The resolution time of the serum β-hCG was 20.62 ± 5.41 (9-33) days. The time to CSP mass disappearance was 12.57 ± 4.37 (8-25) days.

Conclusions

MTX administration followed by suction curettage followed by Foley tamponade was an effective treatment for caesarean scar pregnancy.     

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization versus systemic methotrexate for the management of cesarean scar pregnancy

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness/safety of systemic methotrexate (MTX) treatment versus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using different embolic agents for termination of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

Methods

Women with CSP were randomized to receive intravenous infusion of MTX (group 1, n = 13), or chemoembolization with MTX and either gelatin sponge (GS; group 2, n = 15) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA; group 3, n = 16) particles. Uterine suction curettage followed all procedures. Bleeding volume, time until resolution of serum β-hCG, and length of hospital stay were recorded as outcome endpoints.

Results

Bleeding volume was smaller in groups 2 (mean ± SD, 73 ± 20 mL) and 3 (63 ± 22 mL) than in group 1 (952 ± 471 mL) (P < 0.001). Time until resolution of β-hCG was shorter in groups 2 (29 ± 16 days) and 3 (30 ± 19 days) than in group 1 (57 ± 25 days) (P < 0.01). Length of hospital stay was shorter in groups 2 (13 ± 4 days) and 3 (12 ± 3 days) than in group 1 (36 ± 8 days) (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was more effective than systemic MTX treatment for termination of CSP. Large cohort studies are warranted to compare effectiveness between PVA and GS particles.     

Reproductive outcomes of cesarean scar pregnancies treated with uterine artery embolization combined with curettage

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to review the reproductive outcomes of women with a cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) treated with dilation and curettage (D&C) after uterine artery embolization (UAE).Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective study to review women who received UAE followed by D&C for CSP between January 2010 and December 2019 at the Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua in Taiwan. Data were collected from both electronic and paper medical records. Patients were contact via phone call to follow up reproductive outcomes between January 2021 and March 2021. These subsequent reproductive outcomes (including pregnancy rate, secondary infertility rate, miscarriage rate, live birth rate, and recurrent CSP rate) were recorded and analyzed.ResultsA total of 53 cases of women who received UAE followed by D&C for CSP were identified. The women's average age was 34.8 ± 5.1 years. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 6.2 ± 1.1 weeks. The mean level for human chorionic gonadotropin was 23,407.7 ± 29,105.5 mIU/ml. The average of blood loss during D&C was 19.2 ± 43.6 ml. The average hospitalization time after D&C was 3.5 ± 1.1 days. Of the 53 cases, 10 patients were lost to follow-up and 43 patients agreed to follow-up on reproductive outcomes in 2021. Twenty-three patients who desired to conceive were analyzed. Nineteen out of these 23 women (82.6%) succeeded in conceiving again and gave birth to 15 healthy babies (78.9%). Only one woman (1/19, 5.3%) experienced recurrence of CSP. The average time interval between previous CSP treatment and subsequent conception was 10.4 ± 6.7 months.ConclusionUAE combined with curettage treatment in CSP patients results in a positive rate of subsequent pregnancy outcomes. This minimally invasive procedure may be considered as one of the treatment options for CSP, as it enables preservation of fertility after treatment.     

Caesarean scar pregnancy

Caesarean scar pregnancy is one of the rarest forms of ectopic pregnancy. Little is known about its incidence and natural history. With increasing incidence of caesarean section worldwide, more and more cases are diagnosed and reported. Transvaginal ultrasound and colour flow Doppler provides a high diagnostic accuracy with very few false positives. A delay in diagnosis and/or treatment can lead to uterine rupture, major haemorrhage, hysterectomy and serious maternal morbidity. Early diagnosis can offer treatment options of avoiding uterine rupture and haemorrhage, thus preserving the uterus and future fertility. Management plan should be individually tailored. Available data suggest that termination of pregnancy is the treatment of choice in the first trimester soon after the diagnosis. Expectant treatment has a poor prognosis because of risk of rupture. There are no reliable scientific data on the risk of recurrence of the condition in future pregnancy, role of the interval between the previous caesarean delivery and occurrence of caesarean scar pregnancy, and effect of caesarean wound closure technique on caesarean scar pregnancy. In this article, we aim to find the demography, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, most appropriate methods of diagnosis and management, with their implications in clinical practice for this condition.     

Spontaneous multiple pregnancy after uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroid: case report

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is an effective non-surgical treatment for uterine myomas. Effects on fertility preservation are still under investigation. Various complications have been reported as well as few pregnancies. We report a case of spontaneous twins pregnancy following UAE in a woman who desired to preserve fertility.     

剖宫产瘢痕妊娠两种保守性治疗方法疗效比较

目的 比较剖宫产瘢痕妊娠(CSP)的两种保守治疗方法的疗效。方法 回顾性分析杭州师范大学附属医院2009年1月至2012年12月收治的51例CSP患者,根据治疗方法的不同分为两组：化疗组为甲氨蝶呤（MTX）治疗后行清宫术30例;介入组为子宫动脉MTX灌注加栓塞后清宫术21例。比较两组的治疗疗效、术中出血量、住院天数、血人绒毛膜促性腺激素（HCG）转为正常的时间以及不良反应发生的情况。 结果 介入组保守治疗成功率（95.2%）高于化疗组（56.7%）（P＜0.05）,介入组住院时间[（11.8±2.7）d]明显短于化疗组[(23.2±5.2)d]（P＜0.05）,但介入组不良反应的发生率(71.4%)高于化疗组(13.3%)（P＜0.05）。介入组出血量[(23.5±7.1)mL]与化疗组[(20.1±6.9)mL]比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,介入组血HCG恢复正常的时间[(23.0±2.6)d]与化疗组[(23.8±3.0)d]比较差异也无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 MTX治疗后行清宫术不失为有效的治疗方法,而子宫动脉MTX灌注加栓塞后清宫术更快捷,疗效更明显。     

176例剖宫产疤痕部位妊娠治疗方式选择及预后分析

目的:探讨2种方法治疗剖宫产疤痕部位妊娠(CSP)的预后及治疗方式选择的影响因素。方法:收集176例确诊CSP患者,分为药物+清宫组(药物组,n=68)及介入+药物+清宫组(介入组,n=108),分析清宫时出血量、清宫后h CG下降时间,并电话随访患者清宫后月经来潮时间、月经量变化及再次妊娠情况。结果:介入组在住院时间、清宫时出血量、清宫后h CG下降时间上明显优于药物组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。而在治疗失败率和月经来潮时间上组间均无统计学差异(P0.05),但月经量变化组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),介入组月经量减少者多于药物组,而再次妊娠者少于药物组。结论:药物+清宫术治疗与介入+药物+清宫术治疗各有优劣,故在治疗方式上应结合患者实际情况及再生育要求进行慎重选择。在患者h CG水平不高(如10 000 IU/L)、疤痕较厚(0.3 cm)时可优先考虑药物+清宫术治疗。     

224例剖宫产术后子宫疤痕妊娠不同治疗方法的临床疗效分析

目的:比较剖宫产术后子宫疤痕妊娠(CSP)不同治疗方法的临床疗效。方法:回顾分析在福建省妇幼保健院妇产科诊治的224例CSP患者,按首治方案分组:药物治疗加清宫术(A组),子宫动脉栓塞(UAE)加清宫术(B组),经腹CSP病灶切除加修补术(C组),腹腔镜下CSP病灶切除加修补术(D组)。根据治疗药物不同将A组再分为:甲氨蝶呤(MTX)(局部/全身)组(A1组),天花粉组(A2组),MTX(局部/全身)加天花粉组(A3),米非司酮组(A4)。根据术前是否行UAE,将C组分为:术前未行UAE(C1组),术前行UAE(C2组)。结果:A、B、C、D组的治疗成功率分别为90.12%、95.61%、100%和100%,差异无统计学意义(P=0.255);入院时血β-HCG、CSP分型、手术出血量、手术时间、住院时间及住院费用比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。A1~A4组的治疗成功率分别为85.37%、100%、83.33%、96.43%,差异无统计学意义(P=0.381),入院时血β-HCG、术后2~3天血β-HCG下降程度、手术出血量、手术时间差异无统计学意义(均P0.05),住院时间和住院费用差异有统计学意义(均P=0.000)。C1、C2组的治疗成功率均为100%;入院时血β-HCG、术后2~3天血β-HCG下降程度和住院费用差异有统计学意义(均P0.05);手术出血量、手术时间、住院时间差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论:根据入院时血β-HCG水平、B超情况选择恰当的治疗方案,均能取得好的临床效果。药物治疗采用MTX、或天花粉、或米非司酮临床效果相似,住院时间长,费用增加。UAE后清宫术,可以减少术中出血量。经腹疤痕妊娠病灶切除加子宫修补,术前行UAE未减少术中出血量。     

腹腔镜下可逆性子宫动脉阻断联合宫腔镜下吸宫术在剖宫产疤痕妊娠治疗中的应用:附10例病例报告

目的:探讨经腹腔镜可逆性子宫动脉阻断联合宫腔镜下吸宫术在剖宫产疤痕妊娠治疗中的临床价值。方法:对确诊为剖宫产疤痕妊娠、采用腹腔镜可逆性子宫动脉阻断联合宫腔镜下吸宫术治疗的10例患者临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果:10例患者手术均顺利完成,无中转开腹,无术后并发症。手术时间65~120 min,平均86±4 min;术中出血量60~110 mL,平均85±7 mL。患者术后6~12 h离床活动;术后24 h检测血β-hCG下降幅度均超过50%;术后住院时间2~4 d,平均3 d;血β-hCG于术后2~4周降至正常范围。结论:腹腔镜可逆性子宫动脉阻断联合宫腔镜下吸宫术治疗剖宫产疤痕妊娠是一种安全、有效、损伤小、恢复快、相对微创的治疗方式,具有一定的推广意义。     

Angiographic uterine artery embolization followed by immediate curettage: an efficient treatment for controlling heavy bleeding and avoiding recurrent bleeding in cervical pregnancy

Two cases of cervical pregnancy with heavy bleeding successfully treated by uterine artery embolization (UAE) followed by immediate curettage are described in this report. Case 1 demonstrated intermittent bleeding after serious bleeding was successfully controlled by UAE. Serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) level rose remarkably after a short time decline. Transvaginal sonography consistently revealed a heterogeneous mass in the cervix. Repeated UAE followed by immediate curettage was performed and complete resolution was achieved. Case 2 was also successfully managed by UAE followed by immediate curettage after failure of medical treatment. This report suggests that UAE followed by immediate curettage is a safe and efficient procedure for controlling heavy bleeding and avoiding recurrent bleeding when fertility capacity is desired in cases of cervical pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity and high beta-hCG concentration.     

Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: A single centre case series

Objective:  To examine the characteristics, management and outcomes of 13 caesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs) at a single tertiary obstetric centre over a five-year period.
Methods:  Retrospective cohort study. Cases were identified from interrogation of the institutional database with patient characteristics, management and outcome data extracted from the medical record chart and ultrasound image review.
Results:  Thirteen cases of CSP were identified from 2002–2007. Median maternal age was 34 years (interquartile range (IQR) 32.2, 35.2) with a median parity of 2 (IQR 1, 3). In nine of 13 (69%) cases there was one prior caesarean section and ≥ 2 in four of 13 (31%). The median gestation at diagnosis was 6.8 weeks (range 5.5–11.5). Vaginal bleeding was the most common presenting symptom (nine of 13 cases). The final diagnosis was made by ultrasound in 11 of 13 cases (84.6%) but the diagnosis was delayed in seven of 13 cases, including four that had an earlier ultrasound assessment. Treatment was with systemic methotrexate in seven cases with five (71.4%) requiring no further intervention. One case received intragestational sac and systemic methotrexate with a delayed hysterectomy as a result of molar complications. Two cases were treated with uncomplicated curettage and three by hysterectomy. Four women are known to have had pregnancies following the CSP.
Conclusions:  The diagnosis of CSP can be challenging, and awareness of this condition is needed, particularly as the incidence is increasing. There does not appear to be a clear association between number of prior caesarean deliveries and CSPs. No consistent management strategy was evident in our series, being based predominantly on patient factors and consultant resources rather than CSP features.     

超声评价疤痕妊娠子宫动脉栓塞后的疗效

目的:探讨彩色多普勒超声检查对子宫疤痕妊娠病例子宫动脉栓塞术疗效评估的价值。方法:收集行子宫动脉栓塞术治疗的子宫疤痕妊娠病例60例,通过二分类变量Logistic回归分析筛选出子宫动脉栓塞术后行刮宫术治疗效果的影响因素。结果:Logistic回归分析显示:妊娠物距浆膜层距离比数比(OR)为0.162及血管阻力指数(RI)OR0.001为影响子宫动脉栓塞术后行刮宫术疗效的因素。结论:彩色多普勒超声检查是评估子宫疤痕妊娠行子宫动脉栓塞术合并刮宫术疗效的有效方法。     

Caesarean scar pregnancy: diagnosis and management

Caesarean scar pregnancy is a rare but serious early pregnancy complication. It is defined as an ectopic implantation in the myometrial defect at the site of a previous uterine incision.The estimated prevalence is rising with 1 in 2000 pregnancies being affected, and up to 1 in 530 women who have had a previous caesarean section. The increasing incidence is a result of the number of caesarean sections having doubled globally in the last two decades.These pregnancies are associated with severe maternal morbidity and mortality including uterine rupture, major haemorrhage and abnormally invasive placentation. The reasons for this are multifactorial but include late presentation, misdiagnosis, limited clinician experience with the condition and lack of knowledge regarding treatment options.The management and outcomes for women diagnosed with this condition vary greatly. Women need detailed counselling regarding the risks posed in pregnancy and the management options available. Once a decision on whether to terminate or continue the pregnancy is made, women should be managed by clinicians with expertise in scanning and in managing such pregnancies. Robust data regarding pregnancy outcomes will drive production of guidelines and a unified approach to managing this commonly increasing pregnancy complication.     

子宫动脉栓塞联合宫腔镜治疗剖宫产瘢痕妊娠41例临床分析

目的评价子宫动脉栓塞(UAE)联合宫腔镜治疗剖宫产瘢痕妊娠(CSP)的手术效果及结局。方法回顾性分析2005年1月至2012年6月北京大学人民医院住院行UAE联合宫腔镜手术的41例CSP患者的临床资料。结果 41例患者UAE术后均成功实施了宫腔镜手术,平均手术时间(26.0±13.1)min(10～60min),平均手术出血量(24.0±4.2)ml(20～30ml),平均住院天数(5.2±1.6)d(3～8d)。宫腔镜下见胎囊为外突型4例(9.7%),外突型平均手术时间[(42.5±17.1)min]显著低于内生型[(22.8±9.0)min;P=0.001];外突型平均孕周[(8.7±3.0)周]显著低于内生型[(6.7±1.7)周;P=0.041];二者β-hCG值、瘢痕厚度及血流阻力指数(RI)比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后轻度发热者占9.7%(4/41)、轻至中度下腹痛者占24.4%(10/41)。随访率95.1%(39/41),术后平均血β-hCG值恢复时间(2.6±2.2)周(1～8周);平均月经恢复正常时间(4.4±1.3)周(4～12周)。其中1例患者2次栓塞术后出现闭经,经人工周期治疗术后6个月月经恢复。术后妊娠2例,1例为正常宫内妊娠,因计划外行人工流产术;1例再次发生剖宫产瘢痕妊娠,再次UAE+宫腔镜手术治疗。结论子宫动脉栓塞联合宫腔镜治疗剖宫产瘢痕妊娠是一个可靠的治疗选择,在保留了患者生育功能的同时,具有成功率高、并发症少、住院时间及血β-hCG值恢复时间短的优点。