A painless pelvic wall ectopic pregnancy

Abstract

SUMMARYA 38-year-old woman presented with light vaginal bleeding at approximately 8 weeks gestation. Although she initially presented to accident and emergency with vaginal bleeding and menstrual-like pain, this rapidly settled and both symptoms resolved over the following days. An initial ultrasound scan revealed an empty uterus, with no adnexal masses or free fluid. Miscarriage was presumed. However, following suboptimal β-human chorionic gonadotropin decline, further ultrasonography noted a mass next to the right ovary. The patient underwent laparoscopy, revealing an ectopic pregnancy closely adherent to the peritoneum of the right pelvic wall. The patient was treated with systemic methotrexate and responded well. This rare form of ectopic pregnancy has a high maternal morbidity and mortality, and its optimal management is not definitively decided, due to the scarcity of the condition and subsequent lack of high-powered data. We present a case of successful medical management. BACKGROUND