A preliminary clinical study on high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy for tubal pregnancy

• Published in: Scottish medical journal Vol. 56; no. 4; p. 214
• Main Authors: He, G-B, Luo, W, Zhou, X-D, Liu, L-W, Yu, M, Ma, X-D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland 01.11.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human - blood; Fallopian Tube Patency Tests; Fallopian Tubes - diagnostic imaging; Female; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Tubal - blood; Pregnancy, Tubal - diagnostic imaging; Pregnancy, Tubal - therapy; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0036-9330
• DOI: 10.1258/smj.2011.011161

Our aim was to explore the clinical application value of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for tubal pregnancy. Forty hospitalized patients with tubal pregnancies (28 cases of non-ruptured tubal pregnancy and 12 cases of ruptured tubal pregnancy) were selected to receive HIFU therapy. Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) concentrations were compared before and after treatment. Serum β-HCG was measured weekly and patients received observation only if the concentration decreased by 15% or more, compared with the previous value. Patients were given supplement HIFU therapy if the decrease in the serum β-HCG was <15% within two weeks. Ultrasound was used to detect the volume changes in the ectopic lesions before and after treatment, and changes in vital signs and complications were recorded. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was used to assess fallopian tube patency after treatment. HIFU treatment was successful in 33 of the 40 patients (82%). Seven patients failed HIFU treatment and received surgical therapy (18%). Before and after treatment, serum β-HCG concentrations and lesion volume were significantly different (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). Post-treatment tubal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed tubal patency on the affected side in 21 cases (64%) at six months and in 27 cases (82%) at 12 months. In conclusion, HIFU is safe and effective, and can be a treatment option for tubal pregnancy.