Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy: a comparative study.
Thirty-four patients believed to have ectopic pregnancies were examined by transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasonography. Twenty-five patients had tubal pregnancy confirmed operatively within 24 hours after ultrasonographic examination. In these cases adnexal findings highly suspicious for ectopic pregnancy were found in 68% of cases by transabdominal ultrasonography and in 84% by transvaginal ultrasonography. A distinct adnexal gestational sac was apparent in 32% of cases by transabdominal ultrasonography and in 64% of cases by transvaginal ultrasonography. Transvaginal ultrasonography was significantly more accurate (p less than 0.01) in identifying an adnexal gestational sac and allows more detailed adnexal imaging.
Kivikoski
A I
AI
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Martin
C M
CM
Smeltzer
J S
JS
D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014621:Vagina