title: Transabdominal ultrasound-guided injection of methotrexate in the treatment of ectopic interstitial pregnancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a retrospective observational study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of medical therapy with transabdominal ultrasound-guided injection of methotrexate (MTX) into the gestational sac (GS) in patients with interstitial ectopic pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen interstitial ectopic pregnancies were treated with transabdominal ultrasound-guided injection of MTX (25 mg). All patients were hemodynamically stable. In all patients, the 10-cm distance between the GS and vaginal fornices was ≥10 cm, making transvaginal injection difficult. To evaluate feasibility and safety of the procedure, we assessed complications clinically and with imaging during a 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all 14 patients, MTX injected locally into the GS successfully terminated the interstitial pregnancy, thereby avoiding surgery. There was no complications during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The successful outcome in our patients suggests that the transabdominal route is feasible and safe as a nonsurgical option for terminating an ectopic interstitial pregnancy in patients in whom the transvaginal route is contraindicated or difficult, provided the patients are properly selected and operators have sufficient experience with the technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecological, Obstetrical, and Urological Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: Marialuisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Framarino-dei-Malatesta
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Piccioni
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Derme
authors.forename: Nicoletta Fabiana
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Polidori
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tibaldi
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iannini
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masselli
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D065167:Pregnancy, Interstitial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D008727:Methotrexate
keywords: ectopic pregnancy; interstitial pregnancy; methotrexate; obstetrics; ultrasound