Nontubal ectopic pregnancies: overview of diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Nontubal ectopic pregnancies occur as a result of embryo implantation outside the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. Sites include ovary, cervix, abdominal cavity, interstitial portion of fallopian tube, and cesarean scar. Nontubal pregnancies are uncommon. Nonspecific signs and symptoms of nontubal ectopic pregnancies make diagnosis challenging and, in many cases, significantly delayed, resulting in a high rate of morbidity. Although surgical management remains the mainstay of treatment, there is growing evidence that some of these can be managed medically or with the use of a combination of medical and surgical approaches with good outcome. This review summarizes the current diagnostic modalities, therapeutic options, and outcomes for nontubal ectopic pregnancies. Diagnostic and management options may be limited, especially in resource-restricted settings. Therefore, an understanding of the available options is critical. It needs to be emphasized that the rarity of cases and the difficulties in organizing ethically justified randomized trials result in the lack of well-established management guidelines for nontubal ectopic pregnancies.

Keywords: Abdominal pregnancy; cervical pregnancy; cesarean scar defect ectopic pregnancy; interstitial pregnancy; isthmocele; niche; ovarian pregnancy.