UP Woman's Liver Pregnancy Stuns Doctors; Possibly India’s First Case

A 30-year-old woman from Bulandshahr has left the medical community in awe after an MRI revealed a 12-week-old fetus growing in her liver, marking what doctors believe could be India’s first documented case of intrahepatic ectopic pregnancy. This extremely rare condition, with only 8 to 18 cases reported globally, was discovered after the woman sought treatment for persistent abdominal pain and vomiting.

Diagnosis Uncovered Through Advanced Imaging

The woman, a homemaker and mother of two, endured weeks of unexplained abdominal pain and vomiting before being referred to a private imaging center in Meerut. On July 22, 2025, Dr. KK Gupta, a senior radiologist, conducted an MRI that revealed a gestational sac embedded in the right lobe of the liver, complete with a live fetus showing cardiac pulsations.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Dr. Gupta said, noting the uterus was empty, confirming the ectopic nature of the pregnancy. To rule out imaging errors, Gupta’s team repeated the MRI from multiple angles, solidifying the diagnosis of an intrahepatic ectopic pregnancy—a condition where the fertilized egg implants in the liver’s parenchymal tissue, nourished by the organ’s blood vessels.

A Rare and Dangerous Condition

Intrahepatic ectopic pregnancy is extraordinarily rare, with estimates of only 8 to 18 cases documented worldwide, in countries like China, Nigeria, the United States, and parts of Europe. Ectopic pregnancies, which occur in 1–2% of all pregnancies, typically involve the fallopian tubes (97%), with liver implantation being almost unheard of.

The liver’s rich blood supply sustains the fetus temporarily but poses severe risks to the mother, including potential liver rupture or massive hemorrhage.

Dr. Jyotsna Mehta, a gynecologist from Lucknow, while talking to News18, emphasized the danger: “Even a minor surgical slip can lead to uncontrolled bleeding. The priority is the mother’s survival, as the pregnancy cannot continue safely.”

Medical Response and Treatment Plan

The patient is now under close supervision at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, where a multidisciplinary team of obstetricians, hepatobiliary surgeons, radiologists, and anesthesiologists is planning a complex surgery.

Treatment options include surgical removal of the fetus, potentially leaving the placenta attached, and shrinking it with medication to minimize blood loss. Dr. Gupta stressed the importance of documenting this case, stating, “This could help the global medical community understand and manage such rare conditions.”

Symptoms and Diagnosis Challenges

The woman’s symptoms—persistent abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and abnormal bleeding—mimicked other conditions, delaying diagnosis. Routine ultrasounds failed to identify the issue, but the high-resolution MRI provided critical clarity.

Dr. Anuradha Kapur, a gynecology expert, in conversation with CNBC TV18, noted that ectopic pregnancies are typically diagnosed via blood tests for hCG levels and transvaginal ultrasounds, with laparoscopy used in complex cases. The Meerut case underscores the value of advanced imaging in detecting rare anomalies.

Global Context and India’s Medical Milestone

Globally, ectopic pregnancies affected 6.7 million women in 2019, per the National Library of Medicine, with intrahepatic cases being a minuscule fraction. India has seen other rare ectopic pregnancies, such as a cornual ectopic pregnancy reported in Navi Mumbai in February 2025, but no prior intrahepatic cases. If confirmed, this case will mark a historic milestone in Indian medical literature, offering insights into prenatal diagnosis and treatment of high-risk pregnancies.

Ongoing Care and Future Implications

As the woman awaits surgery, her case highlights the critical need for early diagnosis and specialized care in rare medical conditions. The medical team remains focused on ensuring her safety while documenting this unprecedented case for future research. This extraordinary diagnosis not only challenges medical norms but also underscores the resilience of both the patient and the doctors navigating this high-stakes situation.

(Rh/Eth/Pooja Bansal/MSM/SE)