From Suspicion to Confirmation: An Original Study on a Complete Diagnostic Pathway for Ectopic Pregnancy

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Ectopic pregnancy (EP) remains a major cause of maternal morbidity. This study aimed to describe the clinical, ultrasonographic and histopathological features of EP, including changes following methotrexate (MTX) therapy. <b>Methods:</b> A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients diagnosed with EP between 2018 and 2024. Clinical characteristics, serum β-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) dynamics, treatment type, site-specific ultrasonographic features, and histopathological aspects were evaluated. <b>Results:</b> Extrauterine EPs accounted for 63.3% of cases, predominantly tubal ectopic pregnancy (T-EP), while uterine ectopic pregnancy represented 33.3%, including cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) in 20%. Heterotopic pregnancy was identified in 3.3%. T-EP most frequently required surgical management, whereas MTX was effective in selected T-EP and CSP cases, as demonstrated by a ≥ 15% decline in serum β-hCG levels at 7 days. Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) enabled accurate site-specific localization of ectopic implantation. Histopathological evaluation confirmed ectopic implantation and MTX-related changes in treated cases. <b>Conclusions:</b> Integrating clinical findings, β-hCG dynamics, and targeted TVUS allows accurate diagnosis and individualized management of EP, with histopathology providing definitive confirmation and insight into treatment-related changes.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-01-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020507
Primary Topic
Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
Type
article
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article

From Suspicion to Confirmation: An Original Study on a Complete Diagnostic Pathway for Ectopic Pregnancy

R. Capitanescu, George-Lucian Zorilă, Laurenţiu Mogoantă, Elena Iuliana Anamaria Berbecaru et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
article

From Suspicion to Confirmation: An Original Study on a Complete Diagnostic Pathway for Ectopic Pregnancy

R. Capitanescu, George-Lucian Zorilă, Laurenţiu Mogoantă, Elena Iuliana Anamaria Berbecaru, Dominic Gabriel Iliescu, Ștefan Paitici, Marian Valentin Zorilă, Daniel Pirici, Camelia-Gabriela Rosu, Roxana-Cristina Dragușin, Anca-Maria Istrate-Ofiţeru, Cristina Jana Busuioc, Vanda Roxana Nimigean, Maria-Cristina Comănescu
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Ectopic pregnancy (EP) remains a major cause of maternal morbidity. This study aimed to describe the clinical, ultrasonographic and histopathological features of EP, including changes following methotrexate (MTX) therapy. <b>Methods:</b> A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients diagnosed with EP between 2018 and 2024. Clinical characteristics, serum β-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) dynamics, treatment type, site-specific ultrasonographic features, and histopathological aspects were evaluated. <b>Results:</b> Extrauterine EPs accounted for 63.3% of cases, predominantly tubal ectopic pregnancy (T-EP), while uterine ectopic pregnancy represented 33.3%, including cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) in 20%. Heterotopic pregnancy was identified in 3.3%. T-EP most frequently required surgical management, whereas MTX was effective in selected T-EP and CSP cases, as demonstrated by a ≥ 15% decline in serum β-hCG levels at 7 days. Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) enabled accurate site-specific localization of ectopic implantation. Histopathological evaluation confirmed ectopic implantation and MTX-related changes in treated cases. <b>Conclusions:</b> Integrating clinical findings, β-hCG dynamics, and targeted TVUS allows accurate diagnosis and individualized management of EP, with histopathology providing definitive confirmation and insight into treatment-related changes.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(2)
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO), University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova (RO)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 96%
Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
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