Blighted ovum and tubal pregnancy: a rare form of heterotopic pregnancy: case report

Abstract

BackgroundHeterotopic pregnancies are rare in spontaneous conceptions. Nonetheless, when it does occur, the intrauterine pregnancy is usually viable. We herein present a true rarity of the coexistence of a blighted ovum and an ectopic pregnancy.Case presentationA 25 year old G2P1001 married seamstress of African ethnicity at 8 weeks of amenorrhoea presented to our health facility with a 4 day history of lower abdominal pains and vaginal bleeding for which physical examination revealed a closed cervix. Trans-abdominal ultrasound scan confirmed a diagnosis of a blighted ovum and an ectopic pregnancy. Patient was managed with surgical therapy. Evolution thereafter was uneventful.ConclusionThe case presented confirms that HP can occur in the absence of predisposing factors, and that the detection of a blighted ovum should not preclude the possibility of a simultaneous ectopic pregnancy. A high index of suspicion could lead to early diagnosis, prompt management and a favourable prognosis even in a low-income setting.