Concurrent appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Ectopic pregnancy is infrequently encountered together with appendicitis. Since 1960, 21 such cases have been reported.


METHODS
A 32-year-old, Hispanic woman presented with signs and symptoms of an acute surgical abdomen. Preoperatively, the diagnoses of both ectopic pregnancy and acute appendicitis were entertained. On surgical exploration, a ruptured appendix and an unruptured left-sided ectopic pregnancy were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility of multiple pathologic disorders should always be considered in a patient with an acute surgical abdomen, especially during pregnancy. Evidence exists of a possible association between ectopic pregnancy and appendicitis in terms of a common pathogenic mechanism.
Riggs
John C
JC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, 374 Stockholm Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237, USA.
Schiavello
Henry J
HJ
Fixler
Rivki
R
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology; D009336:Necrosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents