Non-tubal Ectopic Pregnancies: Overview and Treatment via Local Injection

Abstract

Ectopic pregnancies account for 1.5% to 2% of all pregnancy in the United States. Of these, approximately 10% implant in nontubal locations, including the abdominal cavity, cervix, ovary, interstitial portion of the fallopian tube, broad ligament, the uterine cornua, or within a cesarean section scar. Because these pregnancies tend to present later than typical tubal pregnancies, they have been associated with greater maternal morbidity and mortality. Advances in ultrasound technology have allowed for earlier diagnosis of nontubal ectopic pregnancies, which in turn has led to the development of novel minimally invasive techniques to manage them. One of these methods involves the local injection of 1 of several agents directly into the ectopic pregnancy. In this article we provide a guide to this technique of local injection, including an overview of the potential agents that can be used, and review the diagnostic and specific ultrasound criteria, other possible treatment options, and overall outcomes for nontubal ectopic pregnancies.

Keywords: Abdominal ectopic; Cervical ectopic; Cesarean scar ectopic; Heterotopic pregnancy; Interstitial ectopic; Local injection; Nontubal ectopic; Ovarian ectopic.