Number of embryos transferred could possibly be associated with angular pregnancy in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE: The probability of embryo implantation in an abnormal location is significantly higher in assisted reproductive technology (ART) than in natural pregnancies. Angular pregnancy is an eccentric intrauterine pregnancy with embryo implantation in the lateral superior angle of the uterine cavity. Cycle-level factors associated with angular pregnancy in patients conceived with ART needed to be explored. METHODS: A total of 11 336 clinical pregnancies cycles were included. Angular pregnancy rate was compared among groups according to the type of embryos transferred. Among them, 53 cases of angular pregnancy and 159 cases of normal intrauterine pregnancy were screened out using propensity score matching. Risk factors of angular pregnancy were explored. RESULTS: The angular pregnancy rate was 0.31% (14/4572) in the day 5 blastocyst transfer group, 0.58% (39/6764) in non-day 5 embryo transfer group, with 0.55% (29/5280) in day 3 embryo transfer and 0.67% (10/1484) in the day 6 blastocyst group, respectively. A multifactor regression analysis was performed and indicated that the number of embryos transferred was significantly associated with angular pregnancy (P = 0.031, OR, 2.23, 95% CI: 1.09-4.68). CONCLUSION: Multiple embryo transfer could possibly be associated with an increased incidence of angular pregnancy in patients conceived with ART.

Angular and Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancies: A Clarification of Terms and Literature Review.

Angular pregnancy is an exceedingly rare diagnosis, with less than 100 reported cases. Angular pregnancy is important to distinguish from ectopic pregnancies due to the fact that they have the potential to be viable while true ectopic pregnancies do not. As such, angular pregnancy requires starkly different management. Inappropriate use of the terms angular, interstitial, and cornual indicates a general misunderstanding of what makes these diagnoses unique. Misunderstanding leads to misdiagnosis and consequent mismanagement. Our experience with cases of women with angular and interstitial ectopic pregnancies is instructive as it illustrates effective diagnosis and differing management of these two diagnoses. In the two angular pregnancy cases, transvaginal ultrasonography was employed to confirm the diagnosis, which showed a lack of the interstitial line sign, contiguity of the decidua and endometrium, and an endomyometrial mantle thickness between 5 and 8 mm. One patient's angular pregnancy ultimately ruptured and was successfully managed with fully robotic cornual resection and unilateral salpingectomy, while the other progressed to term normally without complication. The patient with an interstitial ectopic pregnancy was also managed surgically, although with laparoscopic cornuotomy and salpingectomy.

Diagnostic dilemma between angular and interstitial ectopic pregnancy: 3D ultrasound features.

Angular pregnancy is a rare entity which is commonly confused with interstitial or cornual pregnancies. A lack of consensus about the specific ultrasound features of these 3 entities leads to inappropriate interchange between them among the literature. An angular pregnancy should be considered as a potentially viable intra-uterine eccentric pregnancy as it might be carried to term and result in a live-born baby whereas interstitial or cornual pregnancies should be considered as ectopic pregnancies which should be interrupted. We report here two cases of women at 8 weeks of pregnancy with an angular pregnancy diagnosed by vaginal 2D and 3D ultrasound and discuss about specific ultrasound features and alternative imaging modalities to distinguish it from interstitial and cornual pregnancies.

The role of three-dimensional MRI in the differentiation between angular pregnancy and interstitial pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice it is an ongoing challenge to distinguish between angular pregnancy and interstitial pregnancy. With the three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) being increasingly used, it is worth exploring its role in differentiating angular pregnancy from interstitial pregnancy. This study aims to investigate how 3D MRI can help reveal the differences between these two special pregnancies in the early diagnosis. METHODS: We reviewed and analyzed the 3D MRI images of 50 patients with interstitial pregnancy and 55 patients with angular pregnancy retrospectively. Imaging features were identified to compare these two special pregnancies, and the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis was conducted to assess the diagnostic performance. RESULTS: The significant differences of the 3D MRI imaging features between interstitial pregnancy and angular pregnancy were found in the outline of uterus cavity (p < 0.001), involvement of junctional zone (p < 0.001), the signal of surroundings (p = 0.005), the relationship with round ligament (p = 0.042), and the overlying myometrial thickness (p = 0.041). Furthermore, the multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a series of significant indicators for angular pregnancy, including the junctional zone involvement, being-surrounded by hyper/iso-intensity on 3D images, and the asymmetric outline of uterus cavity. Combining these three imaging features, the AUC (Area under the Curve) of ROC curve was 0.87 in distinguishing interstitial pregnancy from angular pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that 3D MRI can help distinguish angular pregnancy from interstitial pregnancy in clinical practice, with the advantages that conventional MRI or ultrasound does not have. Through the significant image features, 3D MRI plays an important role in improving the timing of diagnosis, avoiding unnecessary interventions, and preventing hemorrhage in clinical practice.

Spontaneous angular dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To report a peculiar case of ultrasound diagnosis of spontaneous angular twin pregnancy. In literature, the terms "angular," "interstitial," and "cornual" pregnancies are often used inappropriately. Confusion in terminology may have contributed to difficulties in developing diagnostic ultrasound criteria to differentiate these ectopic pregnancies. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Community Hospital "S. Maria delle Croci." PATIENT: A 28-year-old patient with a previous cesarean delivery was admitted to our hospital for management of a presumed angular ectopic pregnancy. Transvaginal ultrasound confirmed an ectopic dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy eccentrically located in the right superior angle of the uterine cavity: the first gestational sac appeared to have right angular implantation, whereas the second gestational sac seemed to deepen inside the myometrium, with a thin myometrial margin of only 3 mm. INTERVENTIONS: After discussing the risks, the patient requested to proceed with termination. A single intramuscular injection of 75 mg of methotrexate was administered, followed by ultrasound-guided hysterosuction after 19 days due to severe vaginal bleeding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An early and accurate ultrasound diagnosis of a high-risk condition allowed for conservative medical treatment. RESULTS: The serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels progressively decreased. After 1 month, a clinical and ultrasound examination showed a regular endometrial line with a regular reappearance of menstrual bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are remarkable advances in ultrasound techniques, angular pregnancy remains a condition of difficult diagnosis and management; it is potentially dangerous and may lead to severe complications. An early and accurate diagnosis of this condition is necessary to avoid complications and individualize the subsequent management.

Angular Heterotopic Pregnancy: Successful Differential Diagnosis, Expectant Management and Postpartum Care.

Heterotopic pregnancy is a rare, difficult to diagnose and life-threatening pathology, which requires timely decisions made by an experienced multidisciplinary team. In this type of multiple pregnancy there are both intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies present. Its incidence increases in pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technology or in pregnancies with ovulation induction. This article presents an angular heterotopic pregnancy case in a 34-year-old multigravida. The patient was admitted on the 14th week of gestation due to abdominal pain on the left side with suspicion of heterotopic pregnancy. Transabdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to confirm the diagnosis of heterotopic angular pregnancy in the left cornu of the uterus. Multidisciplinary team made a decision to keep monitoring the growth of both pregnancies by ultrasound while maternal vitals were stable. Due to intensifying abdominal pain, diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. No signs of uterine rupture were observed, and no additional surgical procedures were performed. Maternal status and ultrasonographic findings were closely monitored. The mass in the left cornu of the uterus did not change significantly and the fetal growth of the intrauterine pregnancy matched its gestational age throughout pregnancy. At the 41st week of gestation, a healthy female neonate was born via spontaneous vaginal delivery. The incidence rate of heterotopic pregnancy tends to grow due to an increased number of pregnancies after assisted reproductive technology and ovulation induction. It is important to always assess the risk factors. The main methods for diagnosing heterotopic pregnancies are ultrasonography and MRI. The main management tactics for heterotopic pregnancy include expectant management as well as surgical or medical termination of the ectopic pregnancy. Expectant management may be chosen as an option only in a limited number of cases, if the clinical situation meets the specific criteria. When applicable, expectant management may reduce the frequency of unnecessary interventions and help to prevent patients from its complications.

Hysteroscopic morcellation for removal of persistent placental remnants in the uterine cornu: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: Hysteroscopic morcellation is an alternative approach for the removal of placental remnants, given its advantages of safety, efficiency and good reproductive outcomes. This superiority can be even more obvious for removing persistent placental remnants in the lateral angle of the uterine cavity after repeated dilation and curettage (D&C) of an angular pregnancy, which is rarely reported. PATIENT CONCERNS: Two patients who were both initially misdiagnosed as having missed intrauterine miscarriages underwent repeated suction-assisted D&C procedures and were found to have persistent placental remnants in the lateral angles of the uterine cavity. DIAGNOSES: Ultrasound and hysteroscopy evaluations showed that placental remnants in both cases were in the lateral uterine angles and protruding to the interstitial myometrium around the fallopian tube. We corrected the diagnosis to that of angular pregnancy according to a comprehensive consideration of the ultrasound, hysteroscopy and pathology results. INTERVENTIONS: We performed MyoSure hysteroscopic morcellation for both patients and the placental remnants were removed completely without any complication. OUTCOMES: The patients were both scheduled for a second-look hysteroscopy 1 to 3 months after surgery, which revealed normal morphology of the uterine cavities and tubal ostia. The patients both achieved normal intrauterine pregnancies several months after surgery. LESSONS: Hysteroscopic morcellation is a good alternative approach for the removal of placental remnants and should be considered in cases in which there might be a high risk of incomplete evacuation or a high risk of uterine perforation, especially in cases of angular pregnancy.

Two cases of angular pregnancy with incomplete abortion treated with hysteroscopy: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Angular pregnancy is characterized as implant medial to the uterotubal junction in lateral angular of uterine. It was a rare obstetric complication with severe complications like uterine rupture and retained placenta. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of 2 incomplete aborted angular pregnancy that was diagnosed and treated with hysteroscopy. In this case, both of patient were performed operative hysteroscopy for incomplete abortion, and with the assistance of hysteroscopy, the angular pregnancy was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopy can more intuitively display the conditions inside the uterine cavity, reduce the intraoperative and postoperative complications, and shorten the hospitalization time of patients. During hysteroscopy, angular pregnancy can be visualized in the upper lateral side of the uterine cavity. Based on the investigation results of clinical cases, this is the first case report of hysteroscopy in the treatment of incomplete aborted angular pregnancy.

Angular Pregnancy: An Eccentric Implantation Within Uterine Cavity.

Angular ectopic is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy which is diagnosed as intrauterine pregnancy on ultrasound but may rupture in second trimester leading to maternal mortality. We present a case of a 32-year-old primigravida who presented at 18 weeks gestation to the emergency department of national hospital Lahore with complaint of dizziness, sweating and epigastric pain for one hour. She had an episode of diarrhoea and vomiting at hospital followed by rapidly increased abdominal distension and signs of hypovolemic shock. Urgent ultrasound suggested rupture of posterior uterine wall and massive hemoperitoneum. An urgent laparotomy was done. Uterus was perforated by pregnancy posteriorly. baby was inside the sac and alive. But died soon after birth. Uterus was repaired in two layers. Stepwise devascularization of uterus was done due to continuous bleeding. 6 units whole blood 6 FFP were transfused. The abnormal location of this pregnancy makes it antenatal diagnosis difficult. A high index of suspicion is needed in pregnant women presenting in shock even when intrauterine location of pregnancy is diagnosed in first trimester.

O papel da ressonância magnética na distinção das gestações intersticial, cornual e angular / The role of magnetic resonance imaging in distinguishing interstitial, cornual and angular pregnancies

Apesar da melhora no diagnóstico e tratamento, a gravidez ectópica ainda é a principal causa de mortalidade materna no primeiro trimestre da gravidez. Formas raras podem apresentar um desafio diagnóstico e, sem um diagnóstico adequado, a incidência de complicações e a mortalidade materna estão relacionadas a aumento de seus índices. Os termos "gravidez cornual" e "gravidez intersticial" têm sido utilizados de forma inconsistente na literatura, sendo frequentemente usados como sinônimos do termo "gravidez angular". Uma distinção estrita entre essas entidades pode ter implicações clínicas importantes, porque o curso natural, a propedêutica e os resultados diferem entre eles. A ressonância magnética não é o padrão-ouro para o diagnóstico de gravidez ectópica, no entanto possui relevância significativa no diagnóstico de possíveis complicações decorrentes dessa afecção. Nesse contexto, esta revisão aborda a importância da ressonância magnética na distinção dos tipos de gravidez mencionados, ilustrados por meio de casos do nosso serviço.(AU)

Despite the improvement in diagnostics and treatment, ectopic pregnancies are still the main cause of maternal mortality in the first trimester of pregnancy. Rare forms may present a diagnostic challenge and without adequate diagnosis, the incidence of complications and maternal mortality is greatly increased. The terms "cornual pregnancy" and "interstitial pregnancy" have been used inconsistently in the literature, frequently been used as synonyms and even used interchangeably with the term "angular pregnancy". A strict distinction among these entities can have important clinical implications because the natural course, management and outcomes differ among them. Magnetic resonance imaging is not the gold standard for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, however, it can be useful in the diagnosis of complicated presentations of such ailment. In this context, this review highlights the importance of MRI in distinguishing the aforementioned types of pregnancies, illustrated with few cases from our service.(AU)

Refining Angular Pregnancy Diagnosis in the First Trimester: A Case Series of Expectant Management.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the natural history and outcomes of a large cohort of expectantly managed angular pregnancies diagnosed in the first trimester by specific ultrasound criteria. METHODS: We conducted a prospective case series of women with prenatally diagnosed angular pregnancy at a single academic tertiary care center from March 2017 to February 2019. Participants were identified at first-trimester ultrasound scan using specifically proposed diagnostic criteria for angular pregnancy and followed prospectively. Maternal and fetal data were gathered from the medical record. RESULTS: Forty-two cases of angular pregnancy were identified at first-trimester ultrasound scan. At presentation, 33 patients (79%) were asymptomatic, eight (19%) had vaginal bleeding, and two (5%) had pain. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 7.4±1.0 weeks; the mean myometrial thickness was 5.1±1.6 mm (95% CI 4.6-5.6). At initial follow-up about 2 weeks later, 23 patients (55%) had ultrasound scans that normalized, 13 (31%) cases persisted as angular pregnancies, and six (14%) resulted in early pregnancy loss. After each gestation had been followed until completion, 33 (80%) pregnancies resulted in live birth and eight (20%) in early pregnancy loss. One patient was lost to follow-up. Of the 33 live births, 24 (73%) were vaginal deliveries, nine (27%) were cesarean deliveries, 27 (82%) were term deliveries, and six (18%) were preterm deliveries. There were no cases of uterine rupture, maternal death, abnormal placentation, or hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: In 42 cases of angular pregnancy diagnosed by first-trimester ultrasound examination, outcomes were largely positive, with an 80% live-birth rate and a 20% early pregnancy loss rate. Early diagnosis of angular pregnancy using the described criteria may represent an entity that more closely resembles a normal, noneccentric intrauterine pregnancy rather than an ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, most cases can be closely observed and efforts made to expectantly manage pregnancies while awaiting viability.

Hysteroscopic Intact Removal of an Angular Pregnancy with a 5Fr Electrode.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Angular pregnancy is a rare and life-threatening condition in which the embryo is implanted in the lateral angle of the uterine cavity, medial to the uterotubal junction and round ligament. Angular pregnancy is associated with a high risk of uterine rupture of about 23% [1]. No consensus has been achieved regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of angular pregnancy [2]. Thus, the aim of this study was to report a case of hysteroscopic treatment of an angular pregnancy in a 34-year-old women. DESIGN: Step-by-step video presentation of the surgical treatment (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. PATIENT: A 34-year-old woman. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient. INTERVENTION: Hysteroscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A 34-year-old woman was admitted to our Department with pelvic pain at 6 weeks of gestation. ß-Human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) was 5331 mIU/mL. The transvaginal ultrasound showed a gestational sac of 15 × 11 mm in the left uterine angle of an embryo without cardiac activity. The woman opted for a conservative approach with multiple-dose methotrexate [3]. Five days later the ß-hCG increased to 7589 mIU/mL with no regression of pregnancy at the transvaginal ultrasound. Therefore, a surgical approach was offered to the patient [4,5]. Laparoscopy showed normal salpinges, whereas hysteroscopy identified the gestational sac in the left uterine angle. A 5Fr bipolar electrode was used to open the gestational capsular decidua. The chorionic villi were progressively separated from the implantation site. Using grasping forceps we removed the specimen for histologic examination. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of angular pregnancy. On the second postoperative day ß-hCG was 1131 mIU/mL, and the patient was discharged the day after. At the 1-month follow-up visit, ß-hCG and transvaginal ultrasound were negative for pregnancy. The office hysteroscopy showed an empty uterine cavity at 3-months' follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our case shows that hysteroscopy may be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for angular pregnancy, providing a unique image of the intact removal of the gestational sac.

A Novel Approach to Management of Angular Pregnancies: A Case Series.

Cornual, interstitial, and angular pregnancies are terms that are often used interchangeably in both the literature and clinical setting to describe various ectopic pregnancies. The diagnosis of these pregnancies can be difficult, and fear of disrupting an intrauterine pregnancy can cause hesitation during evaluation and management. In our 2 cases, a combination of transvaginal and 3-dimensional ultrasound images provided assistance in the accurate diagnosis of angular ectopic pregnancies. Traditional management of these pregnancies includes a wedge resection for pregnancy resolution. In this set of 2 cases, we describe a unique surgical approach to resolve these pregnancies using operative hysteroscopy.

Distinguishing between interstitial and angular pregnancies: Is there a role for saline infusion sonohysterography?

OBJECTIVE: Interstitial pregnancy occurs in the intramural segment of the Fallopian tubes, while angular pregnancy is one that is located in one of the lateral angles of the uterine cavity. The differential diagnosis and treatment of these conditions are important. We have used saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) to help in differential diagnosis. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old female with a case of suspected left interstitial ectopic pregnancy was admitted. Her diagnostic laparoscopy showed no tubal ectopic pregnancy, and D&C demonstrated no villi. She underwent SIS which showed a sac in the interstitial part but close to the tubal ostium. The second case involves a 21-year-old female who was 9-weeks pregnant. Ultrasonography could not differentiate between interstitial and angular pregnancy. SIS clearly demonstrated angular pregnancy with a missed abortion, and therapeutic D&C was done smoothly. CONCLUSION: From reviewing past literature, SIS does not appear to have any proven adverse effect on the pregnancy although it is not widely accepted. This article highlights the benefits of using SIS to aid in the differential diagnosis between the two conditions, especially in unusual cases like ours.

Interstitial and angular pregnancies: Case reports and differential diagnosis.

Interstitial and angular pregnancies are rare and have high rates of morbidity and mortality. These terms continue to create confusion and are frequently misused. The standardization of terminology and differentiation of cases is necessary to distinguish between different outcomes. This article aims to report one case of angular and another case of interstitial pregnancies and to discuss clinical and radiological characteristics, prognosis and treatment. These pathologies continue to be confused with each other and with ectopic pregnancy tubal. Therefore, correct diagnosis facilitates appropriate management.

Can the Presence of a Surrounding Endometrium Differentiate Eccentrically Located Intrauterine Pregnancy from Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy?

OBJECTIVES: Differentiation of an eccentric intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) from an interstitial ectopic pregnancy (EP) is challenging. No sign for differentiation is reported. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the presence of surrounding endometrium (SE) can distinguish eccentric IUP from interstitial EP. METHODS: This study was approved by the institutional ethics board; consent acquisition was waived. Cases were identified using ultrasound (US) reports that included the words "interstitial," "cornual," and "angular." Blinded to official reports, one reviewer reviewed US examinations retrospectively for the presence of SE, defined as the extension of endometrial lining around the gestational sac (GS) as an indication of an eccentric IUP. US examinations without SE on the retrospective review were diagnosed as interstitial EP. RESULTS: Forty-four cases were identified from 2007 to 2015. On retrospective review, 20 cases were labeled as eccentric IUP and 24 as interstitial EP. Ten of the 20 cases retrospectively labeled as eccentric IUP had been reported and managed as eccentric IUP prospectively: four followed to a viable second trimester, and six had spontaneous abortion/termination. The remaining 10 cases retrospectively labeled eccentric IUPs because of the presence of SE had been reported and managed as interstitial EP on the official prospective report. There was follow-up suggestion of eccentric IUP in six of the latter discordant pregnancies with non-concordant retrospective and prospective diagnosis: three had hysteroscopy/curettage demonstrating retained products, two had US follow-up showing the GS moving farther down in the uterine cavity, and in one patient, the GS was shown to pass per vagina. Twenty-four of the 44 cases were called interstitial EP both on the retrospective and prospective reviews and were managed as interstitial EP. None of these patients (without SE) had follow-up suggestive of eccentric IUP. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the presence of surrounding endometrium around the GS allows for differentiation of eccentric IUP from interstitial EP.

[Interstitial, angular and cornual pregnancies: Diagnosis, treatment and subsequent fertility]. / Grossesse interstitielle, angulaire et cornuale : diagnostic, traitement et futur obstétrical.

OBJECTIVE: Interstitial, angular and corneal pregnancies are not very frequent and often mistaken, each with its own definition and prognosis. The objective of this work is to relate 10 years experience of ectopic pregnancies at the UH in Dijon, based on the latest data from the literature in term of diagnosis, management and subsequent fertility. METHOD: This is a retrospective study carried out at the UH of Dijon from 01/01/2005 to 01/01/2015. From the medical records of each patient who presented a corneal, interstitial or angular pregnancy, we identified the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy (EG), the diagnostic and therapeutic means used, and the subsequent obstetrical events. RESULTS: In 10 years, 532 EG were managed including 10 interstitials, one angular and nine cornual. The main risk factors were previous EG (50%), salpingectomy (55%), curettage (45%) and smoking (40%). The localization of the EG was done in 75% by the endo-vaginal sonography, in 25% in peroperative. Thirty-five percent were treated with methotrexate, 20% had surgery and 40% had both. Seventy-five percent of patients had at least one ulterior pregnancy. In the case of caesarean section, no dehiscence of the corneal scar was identified. CONCLUSION: This study shows the presence of medical antecedents which are risk factors of the tubular EG. A methotrexate protocol should be proposed first. Even after corneal surgery, vaginal delivery may remain possible.