Placenta - Ectopic pregnancy

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Placenta

Placental findings in specific newborn/fetal or maternal conditions

Ectopic pregnancy

Reviewers: Mandolin Ziadie, M.D. (see Reviewers page)
Revised: 12 November 2011, last major update October 2011
Copyright: (c) 2003-2011, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

Definition
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● Implantation of the embryo outside of the uterine cavity including within the tubes (90%), abdomen and the cornua of the uterus
● Occurs in 1/150 pregnancies
● Tubal pregnancies are the most common cause of hematosalpinx due to rupture, which is a medical emergency, and diagnosed with ultrasound, serum hCG and laparoscopy
● Bleeding is sometimes due to placental separation without rupture

Etiology
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● 50% are associated with pelvic inflammatory disease or peritubal adhesions (due to appendicitis, endometriosis, surgery and leiomyomas)

Micro description
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● Though not extensively studied, reports indicate a high prevalence of placenta accreta and percreta, to which tubal rupture is attributed
● Placentas from abdominal pregnancies have been described as highly vascular with markedly diminished / absent decidua

End of Placenta > Placental findings in specific newborn/fetal or maternal conditions > Ectopic pregnancy

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