Treatment of ectopic pregnancy with single-dose methotrexate in a patient with an intrauterine device. A case report
Sites, C.K.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 40(11): 800-802
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 8592317 Document Number: 441510
Background: Medical therapy for ectopic pregnancy is successful in 86-100% of selected patients. Patients who conceive with an intrauterine device (IUD) in place have an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (30% of conceptions); these patients had been treated routinely by surgery. Case: A 33-year-old woman at 7 weeks' gestation with a copper-containing IUD in place presented with an ectopic pregnancy based on transvaginal ultrasound, quantitative beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and physical examination findings. Because she desired to keep her IUD and avoid surgery, she was treated with intramuscular single-dose methotrexate. Conclusion: This case was the first reported successful medical treatment of an ectopic pregnancy in a patient with an IUD. There appeared to be no adverse clinical interactions between the methotrexate and IUD.