Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Addition to Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy

Abstract

Ectopic pregnancies rising from a cesarean scar are very rare. The diagnosis rate and the incidence of cesarean scar pregnancy have been increasing because of the increasing number of births by cesarean section and development in transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and color Doppler ultrasonography. Early diagnosis is very important in cesarean section scar pregnancies because of complications such as massive bleeding and uterine rupture that may cause maternal mortality. TVUS is the first method to be used for diagnosis in routine practice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also used in addition to transvaginal ultrasonography in some cases. In this case report patient was suspected to have cervical ectopic pregnancy after TVUS examination; however, it was understood that the diagnosis was found to be compatible with cesarean scar pregnancy after MRI. This situation demonstrates that MRI can be used in addition to TVUS in some patients who cannot be diagnosed easily by transvaginal ultrasonography. In this case report we discussed the diagnosis and the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy with recent literature, and the importance of using MRI was emphasized in difficult cases. J Med Cases. 2014;5(6):329-333 doi: http://dx.doi.o rg/10.14740/jmc1734 w