Background: Most tubal ectopic pregnancies become symptomatic in the first trimester and rarely progress to the second trimester. Elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) has rarely been associated with second-trimester tubal pregnancy. We present a case of a 20-week asymptomatic tubal pregnancy identified by elevated MSAFP.
Case: An asymptomatic 22-year-old woman at 20 weeks' gestation was evaluated with a targeted fetal survey for an abnormally elevated MSAFP. The ultrasound examination revealed an extrauterine gestation. The patient was taken to exploratory laparotomy, and a total salpingectomy was performed.
Conclusion: Although rare, a second-trimester ectopic pregnancy must be considered in the differential diagnosis of elevated MSAFP. A careful ultrasound scan should rule out an extrauterine pregnancy.