Interstitial pregnancy is one of the most serious and uncommon ectopic pregnancies: Case report

Ectopic pregnancies are a dreaded and common cause of first-trimester metrorrhagia. They refer to the implantation and development of the embryo outside the uterine cavity. Interstitial localization is uncommon and corresponds to implantation of the embryo in the intramural part of the uterine tube. It has an unforeseen evolution with a risk of cataclysmic hemorrhage by uterine rupture in the absence of early diagnosis and management.

We herein present the uncommon case of a 26-year-old female patient, second gestation, nulliparous, who underwent a pelvic ultrasonography in the emergency department for pelvic pain associated with a two-month amenorrhea. A past history of left salpingectomy for a ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy 3 years ago was found. Pelvic ultrasound allowed us to detect a ruptured ectopic interstitial pregnancy at 7 weeks of amenorrhea. Significant hemoperitoneum and hemodynamic instability required emergency laparotomy. The condition was confirmed preoperatively and the patient underwent a corneal resection. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on day 4 postoperatively.

The interstitial ectopic pregnancy is an uncommon and life-threatening condition. The importance of early ultrasound detection is of paramount importance to allow conservative treatment with methotrexate injections. Delayed diagnosis requires cornual uterine resection with all the complications that it implies.