Am J Perinatol 2004; 21(4): 223-226
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-828613
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Complete Abortion of a Nonviable Cervical Pregnancy Following Methotrexate Treatment

David M. Sherer1 , Mudar Dalloul1 , Paulus Santoso1 , Raphael Stimphil1 , Margarita Sokolovski1 , Ovadia Abulafia1
  • 1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
28 May 2004 (online)

Cervical pregnancy is an uncommon ectopic pregnancy that accounts for approximately <1% of extrauterine gestations. This condition is associated with an extremely high risk of massive hemorrhage and previously often required hysterectomy. Current early ultrasonographic diagnosis and medical management in conjunction with other conservative measures, which include uterine artery embolization and intracervical balloon tamponade, have enabled conservation of the uterus. A young nulliparous patient ultrasonographically diagnosed with a cervical pregnancy and early fetal demise at 11 and 4/7 weeks gestation was managed with high-dose methotrexate and folinic acid rescue treatment. On the second day after treatment was initiated she spontaneously passed an intact gestational sac accompanied by minimal hemorrhage. Treatment was continued, with decreasing serum β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin levels and subsiding hemorrhage. Subsequent surgical measures were not required. This case suggests that complete abortion of a cervical pregnancy not necessitating surgical measures can occur.

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David M ShererM.D. 

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Medical Center

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