Neo-adjuvant methotrexate to aid minimally invasive surgery in cervical ectopic pregnancy: A case report

Abstract

Cervical ectopic pregnancies account for <1% of ectopic pregnancies. Early diagnosis may reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with treatment.

A 43-year-old woman, gravida 4 para 2, presented at 5 + 6 weeks of gestation of pregnancy via in vitro fertilisation with painless vaginal bleeding. Her initial serum β-hCG level was 51,495 mIU/mL. Ultrasound showed a live ectopic pregnancy within the upper cervical canal with no sliding sign. Surgery was avoided initially due to risk of haemorrhage. Multi-dose systemic intramuscular methotrexate was used in an alternate-day regimen with rescue folic acid to arrest further pregnancy development. Repeat ultrasound seven days later showed absent cardiac activity. Serum β-hCG remained high at 91,764 mIU/mL. A suction dilatation and curettage was performed to remove the pregnancy from the cervix, with an estimated blood loss of 50 mL. The patient was discharged and her serum β-hCG declined to an undetectable level over three months of follow-up.

This case adds to the small body of evidence in the management of live cervical ectopic pregnancy. Neo-adjuvant multi-dose methotrexate was successfully used to reduce the risk of haemorrhage associated with surgical management.