Detectable serum levels of beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) in nonpregnant, perimenopausal women bring confusion in both clinician and patient and could lead to unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A 45-year-old woman with the continuous elevation of βhCG underwent hysteroscopy, two laparoscopic surgeries, two explorative uterine cavity curettages and three cycles of cytostatic therapy. No ultrasonographic, macroscopic or histological signs of pregnancy, both uterine and ectopic or gestational trophoblastic disease were found. Both radiographic and computed tomography reports ruled out the presence of a nongynecological neoplasm. All recommended steps were taken for confirmation or ruling out the possibility of heterophile antibodies interference, but the results were not absolute. Finally, the referent laboratory confirmed the presence of the antibodies, but their exact type remains unknown. This case underlines the importance of the universally accepted protocol in the cases of persistent βhCG elevation in nonpregnant, perimenopausal women.
Keywords: false positive; heterophile antibody; nonpregnant; perimenopausal; βhCG.
© 2020 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.