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The gynecologist's role in preventing overdiagnosis of ectopic molar pregnancy: a case report
Mona C McCullough1, Stuart Hart, Enid Gilbert-Barnes
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, 2 Tampa General Circle, STC 6th Floor, Tampa, FL 33606, USA. mona_mccullough@yahoo.com
Background:
Ectopic hydatidiform mole is a rare, yet overdiagnosed, entity. A diagnosis of ectopic molar pregnancy requires close follow-up, has implications on future fertility, and may require chemotherapy. Patients diagnosed with a hydropic abortus do not require hormone surveillance or abstinence from pregnancy for the extended time period generally recommended for patients diagnosed with a complete or partial hydatidiform mole. The correct classification of products of conception is clinically important because each of the three diagnoses has a different potential for malignant transformation.
Case:
A 29-year-old woman, G5P2104, with ectopic pregnancy and without clinical or laboratory data suspicious for molar pregnancy required ancillary histopathologic testing for accurate diagnosis.
Conclusion:
This case illustrates the vital role of the gynecologist in assimilating information to prevent over-diagnosis of ectopic molar pregnancy. General gynecologists must therefore understand the histopathologic options available for differentiating hydropic products of conception, partial hydatidiform mole and complete hydatidiform mole.
