Fatal Ruptured Cornual Ectopic Pregnancy: A Rare Case Report
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Cornual pregnancy is a rare but life-threatening form of ectopic pregnancy that poses significant diagnostic challenges, particularly in patients without known risk factors. A 42-year-old previously healthy Sri Lankan woman, a mother of two, presented with a 7-week period of amenorrhea. She complained of dizziness and faintness, which were initially attributed to age-related pregnancy symptoms by a general practitioner. Later that night, she developed acute abdominal pain, collapsed and was declared dead at a maternal hospital. Autopsy revealed over 2 L of hemoperitoneum, a ruptured left cornual pregnancy, and associated subendocardial hemorrhages. Histopathology confirmed the presence of products of conception in the cornual region. No external injuries or evidence of medical induction were observed, and toxicology was negative. The absence of common risk factors for ectopic pregnancy, including pelvic infections, assisted reproductive technologies, and prior surgeries, added to the diagnostic complexity of this fatal presentation. This case underscores the need for heightened clinical suspicion of ectopic pregnancy, especially the rare cornual type, even in patients without known risk factors. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to preventing fatal outcomes, and failure to recognize atypical presentations may lead to severe medico-legal consequences and avoidable maternal deaths.
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220847540