Challenges in the diagnosis and management of a ruptured heterotopic gestation following ultrasound-guided embryo transfer in low resource settings: a case report

Abstract

Background Heterotopic pregnancies are increasing in incidence with the advent of rising prevalence of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) globally. Although rare, this condition is a serious potentially life-threatening gynaecological complication. Case presentation We present the case of a 36-year-old Ghanaian woman who conceived following IVF and presented two weeks after confirmation of intrauterine gestation with sudden onset lower abdominal pain. A diagnosis of ruptured heterotopic pregnancy was made, laparotomy and salpingectomy was done followed with further management of the intrauterine gestation. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of heterotopic pregnancy in Ghana. A high index of suspicion for heterotopic pregnancy is required even in the presence of a confirmed intrauterine gestation following IVF-ET.