Analysis of cases with cesarean scar pregnancy

To discuss the early diagnosis and effective treatment strategy of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

We reviewed 17 patients in our department diagnosed with CSP between 2005 and 2010, including clinical characteristics, early diagnosis, treatment methods, side-effects and prognosis.

The average duration of gestation at diagnosis was 46 days (range 37-82) and the interval between CSP and last cesarean scar was 6 years (range 2-15). Fourteen (82%) patients presented with slight vaginal bleeding and two (12%) complained of abdominal discomfort. Fourteen patients were diagnosed with CSP by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography (TVCDUS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in two cases of CSP when the diagnosis by TVCDUS was difficult. One patient was diagnosed by histological examination of hysterectomy specimens due to life-threatening bleeding during curettage. Seven patients initially diagnosed with CSP before pregnancy termination were treated conservatively to preserve the uterus without causing maternal complications, ten patients underwent curettage due to incorrect diagnosis, eight patients had excessive vaginal bleeding during curettage and three patients underwent emergency hysterectomy due to hypovolemic shock.

CSP does not have any specific symptoms and can be easily diagnosed incorrectly. Confirmation of a portion of gestational sac in the uterus is important and TVCDUS is the first-line tool for early diagnosis of CSP. Physicians never perform curettage at diagnosis with CSP, but curettage after uterine artery embolism or methotrexate are better treatments of choice to terminate CSP.