Successful treatment of two viable tubal pregnancies by two-step local injection

Abstract

Two viable tubal pregnancies were diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound with a serum beta-hCG level of up to 3,004 mIU/mL in Case 1 and 16,676 mIU/mL in Case 2. Under transvaginal sonographic guidance, a local injection of potassium chloride (0.5 mL = 1.0 mEq) into the embryo was performed for the purpose of embryocide. In Case 1, a follow-up of serum beta-hCG levels showed an initial plateau and subsequent regression to negative, 49 days after the local injection. However, a persistent increase in serum beta-hCG levels was noted in Case 2 for two samples at intervals of two days during follow-up, 27,800 and 36,500 mIU/mL, in spite of the fact that no fetal cardiac activity was visible. Six days later, laparoscopy was done and methotrexate, 50 mg in 6 mL of normal saline, was injected into the ampullar mass of the right fallopian tube in two divided dosages. The serum beta-hCG levels then gradually decreased and returned to negative 60 days after the methotrexate injection. For a viable ectopic pregnancy, this new modality of two-step local injection, first with potassium chloride and then with supplemental methotrexate, separately by two procedures, may offer an additional choice of conservative treatment.