The efficacy and safety of managing ectopic pregnancies with transvaginal ultrasound-guided local injections of absolute ethanol.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the efficacy and safety of managing ectopic pregnancies (EP) with ultrasound-guided local injections of absolute ethanol (AE).


METHODS
69 cases of EP following IVF performed in our clinic were treated with a local injection of 0.3 ml AE with a 23-gauge needle under transvaginal ultrasonic guidance. The efficacy was evaluated comparing serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels before and after the injection.


RESULTS
In the 60 successful cases (87%), the serum beta-hCG level decreased by 10-30% in two hours postinjection. Of these, 46 were effective with a single injection and the half-life of beta-hCG was achieved within 4 days in 45 cases. In 56 cases (including repetitive administration) serum beta-hCG levels decreased to 20 mIU/mL within 20 days. The treatment showed no side effects and could be given on an outpatient basis without anesthesia.


CONCLUSIONS
This method was shown to be a safe, effective new approach to treating EP.
Kaijima
Hirotsune
H
Kato Ladies Clinic, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan. h-kaijima@towako-kato.com
Osada
Hisao
H
Kato
Keiichi
K
Segawa
Tomoya
T
Takehara
Yuji
Y
Teramoto
Shokichi
S
Kato
Osamu
O
D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014621:Vagina
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D000431:Ethanol