Cul-de-sac pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
We report a case of cul-de-sac pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in a patient with primary infertility.


METHODS
A 33-year-old primigravida woman underwent IVF-ET 4 weeks before her presentation. Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) on day 20 after embryo transfer was 901 mIU/mL. Ultrasound examination on day 30 after embryo transfer revealed an ectopic gestational sac with fetal heart beat in the left adnexa, without any evidence of intrauterine pregnancy. Laparoscopy was performed and revealed an ectopic mass in the congenital blind pouch that was connected to the posterior cul-de-sac. The gestational tissue was removed by forceps, and electrocauterization was used for hemostasis under laparotomy. Serum beta-hCG fell to 7 mIU/mL after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum beta-hCG combined with ultrasound scanning enables early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.
Shih
Chuan-Chi
CC
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lee
Robert Kuo-Kuang
RK
Hwu
Yuh-Ming
YM
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D004312:Douglas' Pouch / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin