Trophoblastic tissue spread to the sigmoid colon after uterine perforation

Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Nov;104(5 Pt 2):1172-4. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000128113.82312.34.

Abstract

Background: Trophoblastic tissue spread following uterine perforation during dilation and curettage is rare. We present a case of trophoblastic spread to the sigmoid colon following uterine perforation, which was treated by surgical removal of the implants and intramuscular administration of methotrexate.

Case: A woman presented 3 weeks after curettage for a blighted ovum. Laparotomy performed for suspected intra-abdominal bleeding revealed bleeding trophoblastic implants in a perforation tract and the anterior uterine wall and on the appendix epiploica of the sigmoid colon. The implants were surgically removed and methotrexate was administered for persistently high beta-hCG levels. The patient fully recovered.

Conclusion: Extrauterine trophoblastic implants should be considered in women evaluated for abdominal pain whose pregnancy test is positive after uterine perforation. Conservative treatment with methotrexate in nonacute patients may be considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dilatation and Curettage / adverse effects*
  • Dilatation and Curettage / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy
  • Laparotomy
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Uterine Perforation / etiology
  • Uterine Perforation / physiopathology
  • Uterine Perforation / surgery

Substances

  • Methotrexate