Diagnostic and therapeutic imaging in a case of cervical pregnancy. Clinical aspects and ethical implications

A case of a 37-year-old, 8 week pregnant woman come to the emergency service with the diagnosis of cervical pregnancy an metrorrhagia, is reported. Uterine artery embolization was performed to arrest the bleeding. BCF monitoring documented its disappearance after approximately 15 days with progressive decrease in serum beta-hCG levels. Once the death of the fetus was ascertained, placental detachment was facilitated with the administration of methotrexate therapy. In view of the curettage of the uterine cavity a second uterine artery embolization was performed. Twenty days after the diagnosis of abortion, curettage was performed and the patient could be discharged. The combined action of embolization, methotrexate therapy and curettage allowed to preserve the potential fertility of the woman.