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Introduction

Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy in which a blastocyst implants in a location outside the endometrium of the uterine cavity.  The most common site is the fallopian tube, but it can also occur in other locations such as the ovary, cervix, or abdominal cavity ( Figure 1).  Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in early pregnancy.  Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevention of internal hemorrhage and death.

Pathogenesis

Following ovulation, the ovum normally travels along the length of the fallopian tube where it can be fertilized by a sperm.  The fertilized ovum continues through the fallopian tube (propelled by tubal cilia), develops into a blastocyst, and then implants on the uterine endometrium.

However, migration of the fertilized ovum is occasionally impeded (often due to

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