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.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110.
A I
AI
Kivikoski
C M
CM
Martin
J S
JS
Smeltzer
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