The therapeutic dilemma of an ectopic pregnancy in the setting of the severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome as a result of assisted reproductive therapy occurs rarely. However, this iatrogenic condition can result in a life threatening illness with difficult management dilemmas for the attending physicians. A patient with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome and septicaemia after in vitro fertilization required prolonged intensive care treatment and subsequently had a probable ectopic pregnancy treated with systemic methotrexate as an alternative to surgical management. A satisfactory outcome was obtained, followed by a spontaneous successful pregnancy some months after these events.