Local Methotrexate Injection as the First-line Treatment for Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: Review of the Literature

J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2015 Jul-Aug;22(5):753-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2015.04.008. Epub 2015 Apr 15.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the outcome of using ultrasound-guided local methotrexate injection as the first-line treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). A literature review was performed on all eligible reports using this modality as the first-line treatment of CSP. Relevant publications were obtained from the PubMed electronic database from inception to December 2014. Ninety-six cases from 95 women reported in 17 articles were reviewed. The success rate was 73.9% after a single local methotrexate injection. An accumulated success rate of 88.5% could be achieved after additional local or intramuscular methotrexate administration. Eleven cases (11.5%) failed methotrexate treatment and required surgical interventions. Except for women with serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels higher than 100 000 IU/L, ultrasound-guided local methotrexate injection could be considered as a first-line treatment modality for CSP.

Keywords: Cesarean scar pregnancy; Ectopic pregnancy; Local injection; Methotrexate; Ultrasound-guided.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / administration & dosage*
  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Adult
  • Cesarean Section / adverse effects*
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / metabolism
  • Cicatrix / diagnostic imaging
  • Cicatrix / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Methotrexate