Cesarean Scar Pregnancy with Professor Ilan Timor, MD

Posted On: June 29, 2022 By CIW

Dr. Ilan Timor, a world leader in ultrasound for obstetrics and gynecology, joins Dr. Fox to discuss cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies. This type of pregnancy occurs when the pregnancy implants within a cesarean scar. Read on for more information regarding this topic.

What is a Cesarean Scar Pregnancy?

A fairly new discovery in the obstetrics arena is a cesarean scar pregnancy. The first detection of a 7-week cesarean scar pregnancy on transvaginal ultrasound was in 1990. With a significant increase in the percentage of pregnancies delivered with a cesarean section and the development of transvaginal ultrasound, cesarean scar pregnancy diagnosis has also increased.

Dr. Timor explains what exactly a cesarean scar pregnancy is. “It is basically a rather rare occurrence when a pregnancy implants not in the right place, which is the uterine cavity. It is implanted in a faulty recess of the lower part of the uterus anteriorly where it takes advantage of a previously performed surgery, mainly a cesarean section, which many claim is not repaired the right way leaving tiny adhesions or niche in which the fertilized egg gets lost, so to say, and implants. And then there’s many complications seen after the pregnancy develops.”

How to Diagnose Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

To diagnose a cesarean scar pregnancy, an ultrasound must be performed very early on in pregnancy, and the person providing the ultrasound must know what to look for. Studies indicate that cesarean scar pregnancy can be detected between days 33 and 94 of pregnancy. Once the pregnancy reaches 8-10 weeks, diagnosis becomes more difficult. Even today, despite advances in ultrasound technology, misdiagnoses are common. Early cesarean scar pregnancy is frequently misdiagnosed as normal intrauterine pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease, or cervical pregnancy.

Is a Cesarean Scar Pregnancy an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Sometimes, a cesarean scar pregnancy is also called a cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, a name not all professionals agree on, including Dr. Timor. “Ectopic pregnancy is something that is all in the tube or out in the ovary or in the cervix and does not result in a viable fetus, while a cesarean scar pregnancy results, if so continued, in a viable baby,” he explains.” So, I am against calling it ectopic pregnancy.”

Whether it is called an ectopic pregnancy or not, there are some complications that can be associated with a cesarean scar pregnancy that potential parents should be educated about.

The Dangers Associated with a Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

So, what are the dangers associated with a cesarean scar pregnancy? “The danger comes from two major occurrences,” says Dr. Timor “One, it can burrow itself so deep into the anterior wall of the myometrium, becoming an abnormally adherent placenta or a placenta accreta. It can even penetrate the area of the bladder. The second danger comes from the fact that usually 80-90% of the cases are associated with the placenta being very, very low, namely a placenta previa, and very vascular. The placenta in this area is vascular; any kind of small insult may result in bleeding. So, hemorrhage is the second danger.”

If you have been diagnosed with cesarean scar pregnancy, it is imperative that you seek out professional care from a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. These pregnancies are considered high-risk and should be carefully monitored for the best outcomes.

Contact Us Today

For more information regarding cesarean scar pregnancies, contact Carnegie Imaging today! You can visit us at our Carnegie South or Carnegie Hill location for quality care.

Carnegie Imaging for Women blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!

Carnegie Imaging for Women blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!

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