Cervical ectopic pregnancy. Diagnosis with endovaginal ultrasound examination and successful treatment with methotrexate.
Cervical ectopic pregnancy is the implantation of a pregnancy in the endocervical canal. Diagnosis and treatment of cervical ectopic pregnancy has changed dramatically in the last 15 years. Before 1980, the diagnosis commonly was made when dilation and curettage for presumed incomplete abortion resulted in unexpected hemorrhage. Emergency hysterectomy usually ensued. Cervical ectopic pregnancy is now commonly diagnosed on a first-trimester ultrasound examination. The family physician practicing obstetrics must consider the diagnosis of cervical ectopic pregnancy in women with first-trimester vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain to permit early diagnosis and fertility-saving treatment. A case report of diagnosis and successful medical management of a cervical ectopic pregnancy is presented. The literature on the epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical ectopic pregnancy is reviewed.
Leeman
L M
LM
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA.
Wendland
C L
CL
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D008727:Methotrexate