Heterotopic pregnancy is defined as an intrauterine pregnancy that coexists with an ectopic pregnancy. Many predisposing factors contribute to this condition and include pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and ovulation induction. In vitro implantation with multiple embryos has caused an increased rate of heterotopic pregnancies. The demonstration of an intrauterine pregnancy is no longer a reliable indicator for excluding an ectopic pregnancy.
References
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1. Hann LE, Bachman DM, McArdle CR: Coexistent intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy: reevaluation. Radiology1984;152:151-154.
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2. Rowland DM, Geagan MB, Paul DA: Sonographic demonstration of combined quadruplet gestation with viable ectopic and concomitant intrauterine triplet pregnancies. J Ultrasound Med1987;6:89-91.
