MR imaging of ectopic pregnancy with an emphasis on unusual implantation sites

Abstract

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a life-threatening condition and remains the leading cause of death in the first trimester of pregnancy, although the mortality rate has significantly decreased over the past few decades because of earlier diagnoses and great improvements in treatment. EP is most commonly located in the ampullary portion of the fallopian tube and rarely in unusual sites such as the interstitium, cervix, cesarean scar, anomalous rudimentary horn of the uterus and peritoneal abdominal cavity. MRI may confirm or give additional information to ultrasonography, which is the most user-dependent imaging modality. Magnetic resonance imaging can accurately localize the site of abnormal implantation. It could be helpful for EP patient treatment by distinguishing the ruptured and unruptured cases before methotrexate treatment. MRI is quite sensitive to blood and can identify the hemorrhage phase.