Cervical pregnancy: assessment with three-dimensional power Doppler imaging and successful management with selective uterine artery embolization

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Oct;14(4):284-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1999.14040284.x.

Abstract

Cervical pregnancy is frequently associated with extensive hemorrhage which, in severe cases, may be stopped only by hysterectomy. We report a case of an anembryonic cervical pregnancy diagnosed at 10 weeks, and associated with a large arteriovenous malformation. The patient was conservatively managed with simple selective uterine artery embolization. After embolization, her vaginal bleeding ceased and the level of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin decreased rapidly. No additional treatment was given. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and the cervical mass had disappeared at the follow-up 4 months later. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of conservative management of cervical pregnancy simply by uterine artery embolization. The role of three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of cervical pregnancy and in monitoring the therapeutic response is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteries
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / complications
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / therapy
  • Cervix Uteri / blood supply
  • Embolization, Therapeutic*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / complications
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / therapy*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / methods*
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / prevention & control
  • Uterus / blood supply*