Ectopic Pregnancy

root · Posted : Wed Aug 09, 2006 Post subject: Ectopic Pregnancy

In Ectopic Pregnancy, implants are outside the uterine cavity. Patients presenting with vaginal bleeding and/or abdonominal pain should be evaluated for ectopic pregnancy because a ruptured ectopic pregnancy is a true emergency.

Diagnosis:
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* History
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* Patients complain unilateral pelvic or lower abdonimal pain

* Physical examination
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* Small and tender uterus
* Bleeding from cervix
* Hypotensive, unresponsive, or show signs of peritoneal irritation

* Labaratory tests
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* low beta human chorionic gonadotropin level
* normal intrauterine pregnancy

* Ultrasound
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* may show adnexal mass or extrauterine pregnancy
* gestational sac with a yolk sac seen in the uterus

Treatment:
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* Intravenous fluids, blood products, and pressors if necessary.
* Exploratory laparoscopy
* Metheotrexate therapy