Uterine artery chemoembolization followed by hysteroscopic resection for management of retained placenta accreta with marked vascularity after evacuation of first-trimester miscarriage in angular pregnancy: A case report

Abstract

Background: Angular pregnancy is a rare form of eccentric intrauterine gestation. To determine the management strategy, angular pregnancy should be differentiated from interstitial pregnancy and cornual pregnancy. Case: A 37-year-old woman (gravida 5, para 4) with no previous disease history was referred because of a retained placenta with hemorrhage 20 days following the manual vacuum aspiration of an intrauterine pregnancy performed after the diagnosis of miscarriage at 8 weeks of gestation. At the initial examination, a prominent vascular mass was identified in the left lateral portion of the uterus. The patient's serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin level was 1949 IU/L. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enlarged angular space occupied by a suspected retained placenta with expansion of the surrounding myometrium. Three-dimensional computerized tomography showed a prominent vascular mass with a feeding left uterine artery and draining thick left ovarian vein. The diagnosis consisted of retained placenta accreta with marked vascularity after evacuation of a miscarriage in a woman with angular pregnancy. Uterine artery chemoembolization was performed followed by the administration of a single dose of systemic methotrexate. Because the gestational mass persisted and spontaneous expulsion appeared to be unlikely, despite the gradual decline of serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels, hysteroscopic resection of the retained placenta was performed and the patient's subsequent recovery was uneventful.

Keywords

• Angular pregnancy
• Diagnostic imaging
• Hysteroscopic resection
• Retained placenta accreta
• Uterine artery chemoembolization