Can I Be Pregnant? – Diagnostic Challenges in Ruptured Chronic Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is an obstetric emergency which accounts for 4% of all pregnancy-related deaths. All women of child bearing age with abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding presenting to the Emergency Department should be evaluated for ectopic pregnancy. However, there have been many reported cases of diagnostic challenges of ectopic pregnancy. One rare variant of ectopic pregnancy that can be easily overlooked is chronic ectopic pregnancy. We present this case of a 39-yearold female, who presented with acute abdomen and free fluid in her abdomen. Urine pregnancy test indicated she was not pregnant. However, intraoperative findings confirmed left tubular pregnancy. We would like to highlight three major diagnostic challenges we faced in this case i.e.; (i) women of child bearing age with abdominal pain should always be evaluated for ectopic pregnancy; (ii) diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy should not be dismissed even though the pregnancy test is negative; and (iii) the role of computed tomography (CT) scan in acute abdomen of unclear aetiology. As a rule, all haemodynamically unstable acute abdomen should be sent to the operation theatre. Haemodynamically stable patients should be carefully evaluated to facilitate surgical management.

A positive urine pregnancy test with haemoperitoneum: misdiagnosed postpartum choriocarcinoma with uterine rupture mimicking ruptured ectopic pregnancy

Objectives Choriocarcinoma after a term pregnancy is rare and can be life-threatening, especially when it perforates the uterus, resulting in massive haemoperitoneum. As uterine rupture due to choriocarcinoma is uncommonly encountered in the clinical practice, its diagnosis is often missed or delayed. Case presentation We present a case of a 41-year-old para 4 + 1 who had acute abdomen and hypovolaemic shock secondary to haemoperitoneum at three months postpartum period. The urine pregnancy test was positive, and, therefore, a provisional diagnosis of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy was made. She was managed aggressively with fluids and blood product transfusion at the emergency department to achieve haemodynamic stability. Subsequently, she underwent an emergency laparotomy where intraoperatively noted a perforation at the left posterior uterine cornu with purplish tissue spillage. A wedge resection was performed, and the histopathological examination (HPE) was reported as atypical trophoblastic cells, in which choriocarcinoma could not be ruled out. The patient then underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy three weeks later. The final HPE confirmed the diagnosis of choriocarcinoma. Conclusions The clinical presentation of postpartum choriocarcinoma can be indistinguishable from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. A high index of suspicion is crucial to allow early diagnosis.

Treatment of Cervical Pregnancy with Ultrasound-Guided Intragestational Injection of Methotrexate: A Case Report

This study is aimed at describing a noninvasive conservative strategy to the treatment of cervical pregnancy and highlighting the success of ultrasound-guided therapeutic techniques. A 43-year-old woman with a history of one previous cesarean section presented in our unit with vaginal spotting and a positive urine pregnancy test. She was diagnosed with a cervical pregnancy, and she was successfully treated conservatively with the administration of intragestational sac methotrexate under ultrasound guidance. Cervical pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy that results from conceptus implantation in the cervical canal. The main concern is the associated life-threatening hemorrhage and subsequent need for urgent hysterectomy. The evolution of ultrasound over the past decades has enabled early diagnosis and has shifted the management from a radical surgical approach towards a stepwise conservative therapeutic approach, when possible.

Individualised Homeopathic Medicine in the Treatment of Infertility: A Case Series

Background Infertility is the inability of a person to conceive despite having carefully timed, unprotected sexual intercourse for 2 years. There are 80 to 168 million people worldwide who are suffering from infertility, resulting in feelings of failure, embarrassment or personal disappointments, which in turn lead to strained relationships with the spouse, family, and social circle. This study aimed to highlight the significance of using individualised homeopathic medicine in the treatment of infertility. In this study, seven couples suffering from infertility, who conceived after undergoing treatment at the National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam, were included. Methods Significant improvement within a short period of treatment and the combined co-operative response from both partners were the key considerations for our selection of these seven cases from 12 successfully treated cases out of 20 couples in total. Detailed case studies were achieved for all seven couples. The individualised homeopathic medicines were prescribed after repertorisation based on confirmation with the authorised textbooks of Materia Medica. All couples were followed up on a monthly basis, and outcome measures of positive pregnancy (i.e., urine pregnancy test and ultrasonography of the pelvis) were evaluated. Results All seven couples successfully conceived. Two of the couples showed a significant improvement of underlying symptoms within 2 months, whereas three responded within the third month of treatment. One of the couples conceived in the fourth month and the seventh couple took 8 months to have a successful pregnancy. Conclusions Overall, the results of the case series indicate that individualised homeopathic medicines are useful in the management of infertility.

Silent primary ovarian ectopic pregnancy following ovulation induction: diagnostic dilemma

Early diagnosis of an ovarian pregnancy, of all the diagnoses relating to extrauterine gestations, is perhaps a diagnostic challenge faced by an obstetrician and a radiologist. About 0.5% of extrauterine implantations occur in the ovary. Recent studies have demonstrated infertility and Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), multiparity, use of intrauterine devices as risk factors for ovarian ectopic. Knowledge pertaining to ovulation induction and risk of ovarian ectopic is even more scant. In this article, we report a case report of ovarian pregnancy following ovulation induction with letrozole. Patient visited with history of missed menstrual period, mild abdominal pain and a weakly positive urine pregnancy test. Provisional diagnosis of right tubal ectopic was made. Diagnosis of ruptured ovarian ectopic was made on explorative laparoscopy which was later confirmed histopathologically. Patient had normal intra and post-operative course. An ovarian ectopic can present as a life-threatening condition and a high index of suspicion can prevent morbidity as well as mortality. Ovarian pregnancy in a primigravida with ovulation induction without an alarming sign, as in this case, is the rarest entity came across till date.

Ayurvedic management of female infertility due to tubal blockage

Objectives Secondary Infertility is a major concern worldwide, accounting for about 40% of female infertility due to lifestyle factor. Secondary Infertility is having a close proximity to a disorder Vandhyatwa explained in Ayurvedic classics, due to a variety of causes. Several Ayurvedic interventions are advised such as Panchakarma (∼purification therapy) for vitiated Doshas in female reproductive organs, Snehapana (∼oral intake of medicated oil) followed by Virechana (∼purgation) to produce quality ovum. Other internal medications like Phalaghrita, Ashokarishta, Kanchanara guggulu etc. have a probable mode of action with enhancing the perceptibility of endometrium for implantation. Correlating fallopian tubes with the Artavavaha Srotas, its block is compared with the Sanga Srotodushti (obstructive pathology occurring in channels)of this Srotas. By virtue of the purification therapy and internal medication working synergistically might remove the Srotodustht. Case presentation A 30 year old female with a history of eight years post marital infertility was treated with Panchakarma along with Ayurvedic medicines after being diagnosed as infertility due to tubal blockage for a period of 16 weeks. Conclusions After 16 weeks of treatment, she reported with amenorrhoea and found Urine Pregnancy Test positive. Subsequently, confirmed the pregnancy by USG, as single live intrauterine foetus of Sonic Gestational Age – 8 weeks 5 days.