scholarly journals Methotrexate or expectant management in women with an ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy of unknown location and low serum hCG concentrations? A randomized comparison

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. van Mello ◽  
F. Mol ◽  
H. R. Verhoeve ◽  
M. van Wely ◽  
A. H. Adriaanse ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Mirji ◽  
Shubha Rao ◽  
Akhila Vasudeva ◽  
Roopa P.S

Background: Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is defined as the absence of intrauterine or extrauterine sac and Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin levels (β-HCG) above the discriminatory zone of 1500 mIU/ml. It should be noted that PUL is not always an ectopic; however, by measuring the trends of serum β-HCG, we can determine the outcome of a PUL. Objective: This study aims to identify the various trends β-HCG levels in early pregnancy and evaluate the role of β-HCG in the management strategy. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of pregnant women suspected with early pregnancy. Cases were classified as having a pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) by transvaginal ultrasound and ß-HCG greater than 1000 mIU/ml. Expectant management was done until there was a definite outcome. All the collected data were analyzed by employing the chi-square test using SPSS version 20. Results: Among 1200 women who had early first trimester scans, 70 women who fulfilled our criteria of PUL and ß-HCG > 1000 mIU/ml were recruited in this study. In our study, the mean age of the participants was 30±5.6yrs, and the overall mean serum ß-HCG was 3030±522 mIU/ml. The most common outcome observed was an ectopic pregnancy, 47% in our study. We also found the rate of failing pregnancy was 27%, and that of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) was 25%. Overall, in PUL patients diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy, 9% behaved like IUP, and 4% had an atypical trend in their ß-HCG. Those who had an IUP, 11% had a suboptimal increase in ß-HCG. Conclusion: PUL rate in our unit was 6%. Majority of the outcome of PUL was ectopic in our study. Every case of PUL should be managed based on the initial ß-HCG values, clinical assessments and upon the consent of the patient.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. e230876
Author(s):  
Amenda Ann Davis ◽  
Kusum Lata ◽  
Akshita Panwar ◽  
Alka Kriplani

Expectant management of tubal ectopic pregnancies is a feasible and possibly preferable method of management in asymptomatic women with low serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This involves serial monitoring of β-hCG until negative, after which it is deemed as spontaneously resolved ectopic pregnancy. We describe a case of tubal ectopic pregnancy which was expectantly managed with an initial β-hCG of 585 mIU/mL until undetectable. This patient presented with ruptured ectopic pregnancy 8 weeks after the original diagnosis, at the level of 5 mIU/mL. This highlights the importance of close monitoring in the expectant management of tubal ectopic pregnancies, with the incorporation of imaging, even when serial β-hCG shows a persistently reducing trend.


Author(s):  
A. Shanti Sri ◽  
P. Kalpana

Background: A pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is a descriptive term used to classify a woman when she has a positive pregnancy test but no intra- or extra-uterine pregnancy is visualized on transvaginal sonography. The objective of present study was to find out the outcome of women with pregnancy of unknown location presenting to a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: The prospective study was conducted from from 1st October 2015 to 31st September 2016, to antenatal out-patient department, at Princess Esra Hospital, Deccan College of medical sciences, Hyderabad. Data was collected for women with early pregnancy or with history of amenorrhea, bleeding or pain. These women were investigated with serum beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin levels at interval of 48 hrs and transvaginal ultrasonography. Expectant management was done for failing pregnancy of unknown location while medical or surgical management was considered for persistent pregnancy of unknown location and ectopic pregnancy.Results: During study period, 9210 patients were admitted, and, of them, 960 (10.42%) were patients with early pregnancy. Meeting the inclusion criteria were 112 (11.6%) patients who formed the study sample. There were 104 (92.85%) patients presenting with amenorrhea, 98 (87.5%) had bleeding and 78 (69.64%) presented with pain. Outcome of 42 (48.83%) patients was failing pregnancy, 31 (36.04%) had intrauterine pregnancy, 8 (9.3%) converted to ectopic pregnancy, while 5 (5.81%) had persistent pregnancy of unknown location. All patients with persistent pregnancy of unknown location and 3 patients with ectopic pregnancy were medically treated. Three patients having an ectopic pregnancy were managed surgically.Conclusions: Management of choice for asymptomatic patients having pregnancy of unknown location is expectant management. Most of the patients suspected to have PUL resolved either into F-PUL or IUP with expectant management.


CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S80-S81
Author(s):  
K. Hawrylyshyn ◽  
S. McLeod ◽  
J. Thomas ◽  
C. Varner

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of women who had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy after being discharged from the ED where ectopic pregnancy had not yet been excluded. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of pregnant (<12 week gestational age) women discharged home from an academic tertiary care ED with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, rule out ectopic pregnancy, or pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) over a 7 year period. Results: Of the 550 included patients, 83 (15.1%) had a viable pregnancy, 94 (17.1%) had a spontaneous or missed abortion, 230 (41.8%) had an ectopic pregnancy, 72 (13.1%) had unknown outcomes and 71 (12.9%) had other outcomes which included therapeutic abortion, molar pregnancy or resolution of HCG with no location documented. Of the 230 ectopic pregnancies, 42 (7.6%) underwent expectant management, 131 (23.8%) were managed medically with methotrexate, 29 (5.3%) were managed with surgical intervention, and 28 (5.1%) patients had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy after their index ED visit. Of the 550 included patients, 221 (40.2%) did not have a transvaginal US during their index ED visit, 73 (33.0%) were subsequently diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy. Conclusion: These results may be useful for ED physicians counselling women with symptomatic early pregnancies about the risk of ectopic pregnancy after they are discharged from the ED.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-53
Author(s):  
Nazia Islam

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is a common clinical condition. Diagnosis and managementof this condition is necessary in due to day practice. Methods: A cross sectional study on ectopic pregnancy was conducted in Sir SalimullahMedical College and Mitford Hospital (SSMC & MH) , Dhaka, with the objective to analyzethe risk factors and assess the results of management with respect to maternal morbidityand mortality of ectopic pregnancy during the last two years. Result: Fifty patients were admitted with ectopic pregnancy from 1st January 2008 to 31stDecember 2010.Frequency of ectopic pregnancy were 1.5% of total 3252 pregnancies. Riskfactors were found in 45% of cases. Surgical treatment were performed in total 43 patients.There was one heterotrophic pregnancy and one case of abdominal pregnancy. Four patientswere given intramuscular Methotrexate and two un-ruptured ectopics resolved spontaneouslyafter by expectant management. Conclusion: Conservative management was an option but surgical treatment was donemore often because of late referrals. Screening of high risk cases, early diagnosis and earlyintervention would reduce the morbidity in ectopic pregnancies. Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2018; Vol. 33(1) : 49-53


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuge Huang ◽  
Yingxuan Zhang ◽  
Dongying Wang ◽  
Huimin Zhang ◽  
Si Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is a kind of pregnancy that has a positive beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) test result but the location of pregnancy cannot be determined by ultrasound. Early determination of the location of the pregnancy is important for subsequent treatment. However, there is no study on the characteristics of vaginal microbiota in pregnant women with unknown locations and a model for judging it by vaginal microbiota combined with clinical indicators. Therefore, we designed this study to compare the characteristics of vaginal microbiota in intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy populations during pregnancy with unknown locations and to establish a prediction model for pregnancy locations in PUL populations with clinical indicators.Methods: This is a prospective, multicenter cohort study. 576 eligible participants will be included in this study. Vaginal microbiota was collected from all participants at inclusion, and color Doppler ultrasound was performed weekly. After the locations of pregnancy were determined, participants of intrauterine pregnancy were followed up to their early pregnancy outcome, and participants of ectopic pregnancy were followed up until a none-pregnancy level of β-hCG was confirmed. Discussion: The regular method of judging the location of pregnancy is by color Doppler ultrasound and β-hCG test. We hope to provide earlier clinical methods of prediction for women with unknown locations of pregnancy through this study.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000035378, registration date: 9 August 2020. http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx


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