title: Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome coexisting with a bilateral ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: Management of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) includes hospitalization for fluid and electrolyte management. Abdominal paracentesis is also used as minimally invasive form of management in selected cases of severe OHSS following ovulation induction. However, if pregnancy ensues, the syndrome persists for a longer period, and the clinical manifestations of severe OHSS could mask the picture of a bleeding gestational sac. It could be easily overlooked unless the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy is kept in mind in cases of severe OHSS exacerbated by early pregnancy with or without a previous ectopic pregnancy history. We report a case of severe OHSS with simultaneous bilateral tubal pregnancy following intrauterine insemination (IUI). A 31-year-old woman with polycystic ovarian disease developed severe OHSS during the therapeutic course of IUI. An emergent exploratory laparotomy was performed 14 days after admission, and the operative findings showed persistent profuse bleeding from the bilateral fimbrial ends with marked enlargement of the ampullary portions. A linear salpingotomy was performed by a longitudinal incision along the area of maximal distension of the dilated fallopian tubes to preserve her fertility. We recommend that in cases of severe OHSS exacerbated by early pregnancy, serial serum beta-hCG and transvaginal ultrasound follow-up may be necessary due to the potential association of severe OHSS in pregnancy with an ectopic pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 105, ROC.
authors.forename: Chii-Shinn
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Shiau
authors.forename: Ming-Yang
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chi-Hsin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Ching-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Tsang-Tang
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000150:complications*