Quadruplet Heterotopic Pregnancy Following In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer with Laparotomic Removal of Ruptured Twin Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy: A Case Report.

Heterotopic pregnancy (HP) is a rare occurrence in natural pregnancies. However, it can be a life-threatening condition and should be taken into account in all assisted reproductive treatments. Diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy are challenging issues in patients with HP. Here, we report a rare case of quadruplet HP following an in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer with a viable twin intrauterine pregnancy and ruptured live twin left tubal ectopic pregnancy. A 35-year-old woman (gravida 5, para 1, ectopic pregnancies 2, and abortion 1) was presented to the Emergency Department of Arash Women's Hospital (Tehran, Iran) in March 2021 with abdominal pain. The patient was at six weeks and five days of pregnancy following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Transvaginal sonography (TVS) revealed a live twin intrauterine pregnancy with a ruptured live twin left tubal ectopic pregnancy. The latter was removed via laparotomy to preserve the intrauterine pregnancy. The patient subsequently delivered a female infant at 38 weeks of pregnancy.

Trophoblastic Tissue Reimplantation below the Spleen Following Laparoscopic Bilateral Salpingectomy for Ectopic Tubal Pregnancy: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Trophoblastic tissue reimplantation after laparoscopic salpingectomy is a very rare complication. These cases may present a diagnostic challenge and the majority of patients need a surgical treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old patient came to a tertiary referral center for nausea and pain in the upper left abdominal quadrant. Ultrasound and abdominal CT scan showed a 68 × 60 × 87 mm size heterogenic mass below the spleen with arterial extravasation from the lower spleen pole. Recent history of surgery for ectopic pregnancy and serum hCG testing allowed to diagnose extratubal secondary trophoblastic tissue reimplantation below the spleen. Embolization of the bleeding vessel and successful treatment with methotrexate was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of a nondisseminated trophoblastic tissue reimplantation, consider embolization and treatment with methotrexate if the patient is hemodynamically stable; thus, secondary surgical treatment is preventable.

Mechanism of Human Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy Caused by Cigarette Smoking.

In the past few decades, the smoking rate of women of childbearing age has increased. Epidemiological data has repeatedly shown that smoking women have an increased risk of various reproductive diseases, including ectopic pregnancy (EP), decreased fertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and failure of assisted reproduction. The oviduct was the target of cigarette smoke in many in vivo and in vitro studies. The fallopian tube is a well-designed organ. Its function is to collect and transport the ova to the fertilized site and provide a suitable environment for fertilization and early embryonic development. Lastly, the fallopian tube transports the pre-implantation embryo to the uterus. Various biological processes can be studied in the fallopian tubes, making it an excellent model for toxicology. This paper reviews the roles of the fallopian tube in gametes and embryo transportation, and the possible mechanism tobacco smoke contributes to tubal EP. A possible signal pathway might be a model to develop intervention of EP for pregnant women exposed to smoking.

Forensic Analysis of Eighteen Tubal Pregnancy-Related Medical Damage.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the cases of medical damage after misdiagnosis of tubal pregnancy, to explore the causes of medical damage, the causal relationship between medical malpractice and the damage consequences, as well as the causative potency, in order to provide evaluation ideas for forensic identification of such cases. METHODS: Eighteen cases of forensic identification of tubal pregnancy related medical damage were collected and retrospectively analyzed from the aspects of age, maternity history, fertility requirements, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment, medical malpractice, damage consequences, and causative potency. RESULTS: All 18 cases were tubal pregnancy, of which 17 cases had medical malpractice, resulting in 14 cases of affected tubal resection, 2 cases of hemorrhagic shock death, 1 case of intrauterine fetal death and affected tubal resection. The other case had the consequence of affected tubal resection, but there was no malpractice in the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Correct diagnosis is helpful to make appropriate treatment plan, prevent disease progression and reduce serious adverse consequences and the occurrence of medical disputes. Scientific and reasonable analysis of the causal relationship between medical malpractice and damage consequences and the causative potency is of great significance to the successful settlement of medical disputes.

Clinical analysis of women with ovarian pregnancy: a retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: To address the clinical features and potential risk factors of ovarian pregnancy (OP). METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study performed in West China Second University Hospital from March 17, 2005 to December 8, 2018, 146 OP patients were selected as a case group, 292 patients with tubal pregnancy (TP) and 292 women with intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) were matched as controls at a ratio of 1:2:2. RESULTS: When compared with TP patients, OP patients tend to have worse clinical complications (hemorrhagic shock (7.41% vs 2.89%), rupture of pregnancy sac (54.07% vs 37.78%), hemoperitoneum (363.1 ± 35.46 ml vs 239.3 ± 27.61 ml) and increased need for emergency laparotomy (9.60% vs 3.97%) at an early gestational age. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) (adjusted OR1 2.08, 95%CI 1.04 to 4.18; adjusted OR2 2.59, 95%CI 1.25 to 5.37) and intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) use (adjusted OR1 2.19, 95%CI 1.10 to 4.36; adjusted OR2 2.77, 95%CI 1.74 to 5.71) may be risk factors for ovarian ectopic pregnancy as compared to the control groups of TP and IUP patients. CONCLUSIONS: OP patients tend to have more severe clinical complications and this study has identified ART and IUD use as potential risk factors for OP. Results of this study may contribute to improve the understanding of OP and promote early surgical intervention.

Extratubal secondary trophoblastic implants (ESTI) following laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy: problems that have been neglected for a long time.

Background: Extratubal secondary trophoblastic implants following laparoscopic salpingectomy is an extremely rare form of persistent ectopic pregnancy. These cases usually result in a small amount of vaginal bleeding and sudden lower abdominal pain thereby presenting with hemoperitoneum in emergencies. Owing to the urgency of hemoperitoneum and the uncertainty of the location of persistent ectopic pregnancy after laparoscopic salpingectomy, the risk of reoperation is increased. It is necessary to prevent in first surgery and diagnose these cases in the early following up phase.Methods: We report a case of 26-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 0, presenting a little vaginal bleeding and slight lower abdominal pain after laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy for more than 1 month. The patient's serum ß-HCG was still high (3981 mIU/ml), and no abnormalities were found through auxiliary examination (ultrasound, abdominal CT, and pelvic MRI).Results: Finally, emergency laparoscopy revealed many blue purple nodules on the surface of ovaries, small intestine, omentum, and periumbilical peritoneum, with a diameter of 3-20 mm. The lesions were completely removed as far as possible. Pathology showed trophoblastic proliferation and ß-HCG soon decreased to negative after this operation.Conclusion: Therefore, it is important to follow up serum ß-HCG even after salpingectomy and avoid iatrogenic dissemination of trophoblast tissue through careful operation.

Heterotopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy, IVF and multiple embryos transfer. A case report and systematic review of the literature.

Heterotopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy is an extremely rare complication of in vitro fertilisation/embryo transfer cycles. We report a case of a ruptured abdominal pregnancy on the omentum which was the stimulus to conduct the first systematic review on this complication according to 'PRISMA' guidelines (PROSPERO R.No CRD42020134104). PubMed, EMBASE and OpenAIRE databases were systematically reviewed for studies reporting (a) cases or case series of, (b) heterotopic pregnancies after, (c) prior bilateral salpingectomy, and (d) embryo transfer cycles. Twenty-two articles met the selection criteria including, with our case, 28 cases. Based on the results, clinical manifestations and laboratory findings can be unspecific or misleading. Transvaginal ultrasound is the main diagnostic tool as the ectopic foetus is more frequently located in the intramural part of the fallopian tubes, the tubal stump or the ovaries. Laparotomy or laparoscopy are the main treatment options with adequate perinatal outcome.

Management of a uterine serosal heterotopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization in a woman with bilateral salpingectomy: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Heterotopic pregnancy (HP) is defined as the simultaneous presence of intrauterine pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy (EP). HP after bilateral salpingectomy is extremely rare and may lead to serious complications if it is misdiagnosed and untreated timely. Here, we presented the first reported case of uterine serosal HP in a woman after assisted reproductive technology with bilateral salpingectomy because of bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 27-years-old pregnant woman after in vitro fertilization with bilateral salpingectomy complained of a sudden onset of unprovoked abdominal pain, which was persistent and dull. She denied vaginal bleeding. DIAGNOSES: Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels are difficult to predict HP. Transvaginal ultrasonography demonstrated 1 gestational sac in the uterine cavity and 1 thick-walled cystic mass over the upper of the uterus, with a large amount of fluid in the Pouch of Douglas. Emergency laparotomy revealed a uterine serosal pregnancy combined with intrauterine pregnancy. INTERVENTIONS: This patient was successfully managed via emergency laparotomy to remove residual tissue and repair the rupture of the uterine serosal pregnancy. OUTCOMES: At postoperative 4 days, repeat transvaginal ultrosonography presented 1 intrauterine gestational sac with a visible fetal bud and cardiac tube pulsation. Now the patient recover well and is in an ongoing pregnancy. LESSONS: It is noteworthy that HP/ectopic pregnancy is still not prevented after bilateral salpingectomy. In cases of multiple embryo transfer, even if intrauterine pregnancy has been established, it is important to rule out HP/ectopic pregnancy in time. Early diagnosis and early management can significantly improve clinical outcomes.

A woman with disseminated tuberculosis experienced preterm delivery, fallopian tube pregnancy, and delivered successfully following in vitro fertilization: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) is a fatal disease resulting from hematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Spontaneous pregnancy rate of women with TB is low; furthermore, live birth, spontaneous abortion or ectopic pregnancy may be the outcomes even if pregnancy occurs. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a woman with disseminated TB who had a series of complications including preterm delivery with congenital TB and infant death of pulmonary TB, fallopian tube pregnancy. She was treated by in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and gave birth to a healthy baby. CONCLUSION: Disseminated TB has a significant impact on female fertility. We should take more active efforts to diagnose and treat this disease in a timely fashion. Moreover, IVF treatment is a feasible approach for an infertile woman after TB.

A spontaneous bilateral fallopian tube pregnancy with didelphic uterus: A case report.

RATIONALE: In this article, we report interesting clinical manifestation of spontaneous bilateral fallopian tube pregnancies in a patient with a didelphic uterus. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 26-year-old female patient, gravida 2, para 0 + 1, suffered from progressive abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. A laboratory exam revealed a human chorionic gonadotropin level of 1091 IU/L. Transvaginal ultrasound detected no embryo sacs in the uterus but revealed a didelphic uterus, and a mass measuring 39 mm x 32 mm in the left adnexa region with another mass measuring 42 x 28 mm in the right adnexa region. DIAGNOSES: An ectopic pregnancy in the left adnexa region and a corpus hemorrhagicum in the right adnexa region were suspected. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic exploration operation confirmed a didelphic uterus, and pathological biopsy revealed bilateral fallopian tube pregnancies. OUTCOMES: The patient made a good recovery and the human chorionic gonadotropin became normal within the following 2 months. LESSONS: To the best of our knowledge, clinical manifestation of spontaneous bilateral fallopian tube pregnancies in a patient with a didelphic uterus has never been reported before. Based on the experience with this case, we suggest that if a gestational sac is found in 1 fallopian tube, the contralateral fallopian tube needs to be examined for an ectopic pregnancy during surgery.

Ectopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization after bilateral salpingectomy: A review of the literature.

Ectopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy is rare and is therefore easily misdiagnosed. To provide information regarding the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, mechanism and prognosis of this condition, we reviewed all cases reported in the English literature. All English language reports on ectopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy were retrieved from the PubMed database. A total of 19 English language articles were collected and 20 cases of ectopic pregnancy were reported. Eleven of the 19 patients had a history of tubal pregnancy on one or both sides. All of these pregnancies were by IVF-ET. The site of ectopic pregnancy was the tubal stump in 8 cases, the abdominal cavity in 4 cases, the ovary in 3 cases, the retroperitoneum in 3 cases, and the uterine cornua in 2 cases. All patients underwent successful resection of the ectopic pregnancy, of which 10 were laparoscopic surgery and 10 were laparotomy. Six of 8 cases of heterotopic pregnancy were successful gestation to the last trimester and were delivered after treatment. Ectopic pregnancy is still possible following IVF-ET after bilateral salpingectomy. The location of these ectopic pregnancies is complex and it is necessary to beware of the possibility of a heterotopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy in the ampulla of the fallopian tube at 16 gestational weeks: lessons from a case report.

BACKGROUND: It is uncommon to find ampullary tubal pregnancy in the second trimester. METHODS: A 35-year-old G4P3 at 16 gestational weeks presented with a day history of sudden severe lower abdominal pain and no vaginal bleeding. The patient had a normal pulse of 82/minutes, haemoglobin concentration of 6.3 g/dl and ultrasonography showed an empty uterus with an alive fetus in the right adnexa. She was provisionally diagnosed to have an abdominal pregnancy. RESULTS: The patient had an emergency laparotomy where 2.2 L of haemoperitoneum and a slow-leaking right ampullary tubal pregnancy were found. Right total salpingectomy was performed and she had an uncomplicated post-operative follow-up. Histology of the lesion confirmed tubal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The growth of a pregnancy in the ampulla beyond the first trimester is possibly due to increased thickness and or distensibility of the fallopian tube. A tubal pregnancy may present with a normal pulse despite significant haemorrhage.

Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasma infections in tubal pregnancy.

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection is an important factor for tubal pregnancy. However, whether Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) infections are also involved in tubal pregnancy remains unknown. This study is aimed to detect CT, UU, and MH in cervical secretions from patients with tubal pregnancy and control women in early pregnancy, to explore their prevalence rates and drug susceptibilities. Analysis was performed on patients with tubal pregnancy and those requiring termination of early pregnancy at <12 weeks from July 2013 to March 2014. Cervical secretions were tested for UU/MH with a UU/MH isolation and culture kit and for CT antigen by an immunochromatographic assay. Mycoplasma samples were tested for resistance to 12 antibiotics. There were no cases of CT infection detected. Mycoplasma infection rates (single or mixed) were similar in the tubal pregnancy and control groups, but the total rate of infection was higher for tubal pregnancy. All MH samples were sensitive to tetracyclines as well as josamycin and azithromycin. Josamycin and clarithromycin were effective against all UU cultures. Over 50% of the samples tested were resistant to ciprofloxacin.

A rare case of heterotopic quintuplets pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: We report a rare case of heterotopic pregnancy and high-order pregnancy occurring simultaneously following the use of the assisted reproductive technique (ART). CASE REPORT: A 29-year-old woman, Gravida 2 Para 1, became pregnant after receiving intrauterine insemination (IUI). She came to our emergency room due to diffuse low abdominal pain at seven weeks of gestational age. Transabdominal sonography (TAS) revealed a quadruplet intrauterine pregnancy with an enlarged left adnexa and intrapelvic fluid accumulation. Simultaneous occurrence of high-order pregnancy and left tubal pregnancy with internal hemorrhage was suspected. The patient received an emergent laparoscopic resection of the affected Fallopian tube and recovered well for the remaining hospitalization course. Afterwards, she received fetal reduction procedure and eventually gave birth to twin babies. CONCLUSION: Gynecologist should increase the awareness of heterotopic pregnancy in patients receiving ART. On the other hand, reproductive endocrinologist should reduce the risk of high-order pregnancy without compromising pregnancy rate.

Ectopic pregnancy in left ovary and contralateral uterine tube diagnosed one week apart in In Vitro Fertilization with donor eggs: Case report.

Bilateral ectopic pregnancy is a rare clinical condition with an estimated prevalence of 1/200 000 in spontaneous pregnancies. Studies have found that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is related to ectopic pregnancy independently, but the incidence of tubal disease in the donor egg recipient population is thought to be significantly lower than in the standard IVF population. We report the case of a patient participating in the egg-sharing program, who was diagnosed with ovarian ectopic pregnancy, treated with surgery. After one week, she was diagnosed with tubal ectopic pregnancy in the contralateral tube. The clinician should be aware that the treatment of one ectopic pregnancy does not preclude the occurrence of a second ectopic pregnancy in the same patient and should pay attention to the intra-operatory inspection of both side fallopian tubes in any ectopic pregnancy case. Routine ultrasound after ectopic pregnancy treatment may be reasonable, especially in high risk patients.

B cell activation factor (BAFF) induces inflammation in the human fallopian tube leading to tubal pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Tubal pregnancy is recognized as one of the most common ectopic pregnancy types. Salpingitis may result in tubal pregnancy by causing fallopian tube occlusion and hydrosalpinx. B cell activation factor (BAFF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that helps regulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. Our previous study firstly showed that BAFF immunostaining appeared on the cellular membrane and in the cytoplasm of tubal epithelial cells, and both BAFF protein and mRNA in human inflamed fallopian tubes had higher expression levels than those in normal fallopian tubes. This study aimed to elucidate the association between the expression of BAFF gene and the inflammation in the human fallopian tube leading to tubal pregnancy. METHODS: We examined 70 patients undergoing salpingectomy for salpingitis (n = 35) and tubal pregnancy (n = 35). Twenty patients with benign uterine diseases undergoing complete hysterectomy and salpingectomy were recruited into control group. BAFF mRNA and protein in tissue samples were detected by qPCR and Western blotting methods. Furthermore, serum levels of BAFF, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured using ELISA kits. RESULTS: We found statistically significantly elevated expressions of BAFF mRNA or protein in whole tissue samples, and serum levels of BAFF, TNF-α and IL-6 in whole blood samples from patients with salpingitis and tubal pregnancy, in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, high expression of BAFF gene might induce inflammation in the human fallopian tube, suggesting its possible role in the tubal pregnancy process.

An uncommon spontaneous right distal tubal pregnancy post bilateral laparoscopic sterilization: A case report.

RATIONALE: Tubal sterilization as a contraception method has a high success rate; however, it also carries a low risk of incidental pregnancy. A majority of these pregnancies are ectopic. In this study, we report a rare case of spontaneous right distal tubal pregnancy after bilateral laparoscopic tubal sterilization. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 36-year-old woman who had undergone bilateral laparoscopic tubal sterilization presented with abdominal pain and a positive test for pregnancy. DIAGNOSIS: Ectopic pregnancy was suspected based on absence of gestational sac in the uterine cavity on ultrasound and elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) level. INTERVENTION: Since the patient had unstable vitals, emergency laparoscopic surgery was performed, which revealed a right distal fallopian tube pregnancy. We performed a complete bilateral residual tubal stump excision. OUTCOMES: The patient recovered well after surgery, with a reduction in ß-hCG level, and was discharged after 3 days. LESSONS: To ensure complete sterilization, the gap at the excised end needs to be adequately widened and enhanced with electro-destruction to prevent formation of a fistula.

Differential Expression of EGFR-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in Spontaneous Abortions, Induced Abortions, and Tubal Pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess trophoblastic and uterine sufficiency in miscarriage pathogenesis with immunohistochemical methods and to determine if they could be used as a screening tool for the risk of miscarriage in the future. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Placental tissue specimens that were comprised of 20 spontaneous abortions, 23 voluntarily terminated (induced) abortions, and 12 tubal pregnancies were included in this study. Trophoblastic cells and implantation area were evaluated for staining with EGFR-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: EGFR-1 expression was more intense and diffuse in decidual cells in the placental bed of spontaneous abortion specimens; this difference was statistically significant (P=0.004). MMP-3 expression was markedly increased in villous and extravillous trophoblastic cells in induced abortions; the difference between the groups was found to be statistically significant (P values ranged from < 0.01 to 0.005). MMP-9 expression tended to be higher in spontaneous abortion and tubal pregnancy specimens, and the results were statistically significant as P values were lower than 0.01. CONCLUSION: Higher EGFR-1 expression in the decidual tissue of spontaneous abortion specimens suggests that EGFR-1 triggers the migration of extravillous trophoblasts, leading to their destructive invasion. Similarly, MMP-9 immunopositivity might be indicative of aggressive invasion contributing to spontaneous abortion pathogenesis. Relatively high levels of MMP-3 expression in induced abortion specimens used as a control group might be a predictor of successful implantation, whereas its decreased expression might be indicative of risk for pregnancy loss.

Networks of E-cadherin, ß1 integrin, and focal adhesion kinase in the pathogenesis of tubal pregnancy.

E-cadherin, ß1 integrin, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are reported to involved in eutopic implantation by mediating cell adhesion. However, less is documented about their roles in ectopic implantation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the roles and networks of E-cadherin, ß1 integrin, and FAK in tubal pregnancy. A total of 31 Fallopian tube specimens were obtained from tubal pregnant women. Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to analyze the distributions and levels of E-cadherin, ß1 integrin and phosphorylated-FAK (Pho-FAK) in the Fallopian tube epithelium. Normal Fallopian tube samples derived from non-pregnant women with benign genital diseases were used for comparison. E-cadherin presented in the cytomembrane of tubal epithelial cells and ß1 integrin mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. A lowest-level of E-cadherin was detected in the implantation site (0.63 ± 0.29) when compared with the non-implantation site (0.95 ± 0.37) and the controls (0.89 ± 0.33) (P < 0.05). ß1 integrin, as well as Pho-FAK in the implantation site (0.81 ± 0.35; 0.72 ± 0.24), showed a higher-level than that in the non-implantation site (0.59 ± 0.26; 0.48 ± 0.27) or the control group (0.38 ± 0.19; 0.36 ± 0.25) (p < .05). The decreased E-cadherin and increased ß1 integrin are implicated in tubal pregnancy. The involvement of ß1 integrin maybe depends on ß1 integrin/FAK signaling.