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How does ectopic pregnancy present clinically?

User Adamh
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Final answer:

Ectopic pregnancy typically presents with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, with tubal pregnancy being the most common form. Early detection can lead to medical management with methotrexate, while late or advanced cases may require surgical intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ectopic pregnancy is a condition where the embryo implants outside the body of the uterus. Clinically, it may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and if severe, may lead to signs of shock. Diagnosis is often made through clinical examination, blood tests for the pregnancy hormone (hCG), and ultrasound. Tubal pregnancy is the most common type of ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo implants in the fallopian tube. This can be caused by scar tissue from a prior infection or other factors that impede the embryo's progress to the uterus.

When detected early, a medical treatment option is the administration of the drug methotrexate, which stops the growth of the embryo. If diagnosed late or if the fallopian tube has ruptured, surgery is necessary to prevent severe internal bleeding and other complications. Other less common types of ectopic pregnancies include ovarian, abdominal, and cervical pregnancies, each with varying clinical presentations and treatment protocols.

User Sudheer Nunna
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