Case of a chronic ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosed as pelvic inflammatory disease

Hashviniya Sekar, Olga Divakova, Tanya Alan, G. Premetis, Gregory Premetis
BMJ case reports · 2021 · vol. 14(1) , pp. e237053 · doi:10.1136/bcr-2020-237053 · PMID:33431533 · PMC7802671 · W3119342626
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Abstract

The definition of a chronic ectopic pregnancy (CEP) is poorly defined in the literature and making a timely diagnosis can be incredibly challenging. This is primarily due to its broad range of clinical presentations and conflicting biochemical and sonographic results. Often, CEPs are mistaken for ovarian malignancies, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), uterine fibroids or endometriosis, therefore, leading to a delayed diagnosis. We present a case report of a woman who was initially misdiagnosed with PID and then later preoperatively diagnosed with a CEP. This case particularly highlights the diagnostic dilemma posed by CEPs and raises awareness of the key clinical symptoms, biochemical and sonographic investigations which in combination can contribute towards making a timely preoperative diagnosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Abdominal Pain Fallopian Tubes Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pregnancy, Ectopic Uterine Hemorrhage Abdominal Pain Adult Diagnostic Errors Fallopian Tubes Fallopian Tubes Female Humans Laparoscopy Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pregnancy Pregnancy, Ectopic Pregnancy, Ectopic Salpingectomy Ultrasonography Uterine Hemorrhage

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK