Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2011 Dec;54(12):802-806. 10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.12.802.

Two cases of rare heterotopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

• Cho HJ
• Park SJ
• Ok JH
• Choi JR
• Kim TG
• Lee KS

• KMID: 1443946
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.12.802

Abstract

Heterotopic pregnancy has been traditionally considered a rare event; however, with the use of assisted reproductive technology, the incidence of heterotopic pregnancies is increasing. Early diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy is often difficult because clinical symptoms and signs are not specific. We experienced two rare cases of heterotopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. First case was the triplet pregnancy, which was combined one intrauterine pregnancy and two extrauterine pregnancy in bilateral tube. Second case was the unruptured heterotopic pregnancy by midtrimester, which had not any symptom and was diagnosed by ultrasound. We report two cases of rare heterotopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization with brief review of literature.

Keyword

Pregnancy, combined; In vitro fertilization; Embryo transfer; Pregnancy, tubal, bilateral; Midtrimester

MeSH Terms

Early Diagnosis
Embryo Transfer
Embryonic Structures
Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Humans
Incidence
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Pregnancy, Heterotopic
Pregnancy, Triplet
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. (A) Arrow indicates the embryo of intauterine pregnancy. (B) Arrow indicates right. tubal pregnancy. (C) Arrow indicates left. tubal pregnancy. (D) Arrows indicate multilocular cysts on both ovaries (maybe thecaluteal cyst).

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  Fig. 2 Preoperative transverse abdominal sonogram shows one intrauterine pregnancy at 13 gestational weeks and another gestational sac with fetal pole in the left. fallopian tube.

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  Fig. 3 Pathologic finding: measuring 32.5 g in weigh and 10.2×2.5×2.1 cm in dimensions. Salpinx is dilated and shows hemorrhagic surface. On section, it shows fetus, yellowish villous soft tissue and hemorrhage.

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