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A molar masquerading as an ectopic pregnancy in the early first trimester: a salutary lesson

Authors Govind A, Lakhi N

Received 12 April 2012

Accepted for publication 1 May 2012

Published 22 August 2012 Volume 2012:4 Pages 423—425

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S32893

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Abha Govind,1 Nisha Lakhi2

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, North Middlesex University Hospital, London, UK; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, New York, NY, USA

Abstract: The authors report a case in which a molar pregnancy was mistaken for an ectopic pregnancy in the early first trimester. This confusion delayed diagnosis and caused distress; follow-up led to the final diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole. Correct preoperative diagnosis of molar pregnancy by ultrasound in early pregnancy may be tricky. It is important to obtain histological evidence to make the final diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease. While relatively rare, consideration of molar pregnancy in the differential diagnosis of early pregnancy loss may avoid unnecessary distress.

Keywords: first trimester ultrasound, molar pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease, complete hydatidiform mole, diagnosis

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