Heterotopic pregnancy

Heterotopic pregnancy
Ultrasound showing a heterotopic pregnancy (intrauterine + extrauterine pregnancies) with signs that the extrauterine (ectopic) pregnancy has ruptured.[1]
SpecialtyObstetrics

A heterotopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which both extrauterine (ectopic) pregnancy and intrauterine pregnancy occur simultaneously.[2] It may also be referred to as a combined ectopic pregnancy, multiple‑sited pregnancy, or coincident pregnancy.

The most common site of the extrauterine pregnancy is the fallopian tube. However, other sites of implantation include the cervix, ovary, and abdomen.[3]

Although heterotopic pregnancies were once thought to be a rare phenomenon, the incidence has increased due to the increasing use of assisted reproductive technologies.[3]

  1. ^ "UOTW #9 - Ultrasound of the Week". Ultrasound of the Week. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  2. ^ Harrington JA, Lyons EA. "Heterotopic pregnancy". Archived from the original on 2006-09-27. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  3. ^ a b Bonaventure A, Mamah JE (2019). "Heterotopic pregnancy in a natural conception presenting as an acute abdomen: Management and delivery of a live baby at term". International Journal of Case Reports and Images. 10: 1. doi:10.5348/101011Z01OA2019CR. ISSN 0976-3198. S2CID 239424871.