title: [Ectopic pregnancy].
abstract: An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy outside of the uterine cavity. An ectopic pregnancy can rupture and lead to hypovolaemic shock due to intraperitoneal bleeding. We describe 3 cases of women with ectopic pregnancy and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic options. All women of fertile age with abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding should get a pregnancy test. Vaginal ultrasound and human chorionic gonadotrophin levels are the most important diagnostic tools. Depending on the findings, management can may be either conservative with repeated follow-up, intramuscular methotrexate or surgical, depending on the findings. After an ectopic pregnancy there is a higher risk of subfertility and another ectopic pregnancy, but more than half of the women will have a subsequent ongoing intra uterine pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Máxima Medisch Centrum, afd. Gynaecologie en verloskunde, Veldhoven.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mooij
authors.forename: Peggy  M A J
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Geomini
authors.forename: Marlies Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Bongers
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D058994:Salpingectomy; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008727:Methotrexate