Unsuspected chronic ectopic pregnancy in a patient with chronic pelvic pain

Abstract

‘Chronic ectopic pregnancy’ is a clinico-pathological entity that results from abortion or minor ruptures of a tubal pregnancy with a subsequent inflammatory response, extensive adhesions and mass formation, in which chorionic villi may be w x present 1]3 . The term chronic describes only the presence of a mass of gestational origin and does not imply chronicity of pregnancy. This condition is difficult to diagnose. Pelvic pain, hemodynamic stability, high incidence of negative pregnancy tests, due to the presence of non-viable trophoblast, and regular cycles are often present w x 1]3 . Sonographic patterns are poorly specific. A correct diagnosis is obtained only during or even after surgery. We report a case of a 30-year-old woman, complaining of acyclic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and deep dyspareunia, with regular menses and several negative pregnancy tests. Four