title: Ectopic pregnancy: ten common pitfalls in diagnosis.
abstract: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a common, life-threatening complication of pregnancy. Modern technology (ultrasonography and improved pregnancy tests) should facilitate the diagnosis of EP. However, in a retrospective review of 65 cases of confirmed EP managed over 18 months at an urban teaching hospital, only 37 of 65 patients (57%, Cl95 = 44%, 69%) received prompt diagnosis and treatment; delays occurred in 28 patients (43%). In 10 of the 27 delayed cases, the diagnosis of EP was not even considered at the time of the first visit. In patients with a delayed diagnosis, morbidity (transfusions, cardiovascular instability, progression of illness) did occur. Diagnostic pitfalls that resulted in delayed care were reviewed, delays most commonly occurred in patients with a benign examination or "atypical" pain. Risk factors for EP were missed (7 patients, 25%), subtle clues to blood loss were often ignored (10 patients, 36%), and passage of tissue was thought to exclude EP (2 patients). Ultrasound was only helpful for half of the diagnoses and was misinterpreted in 27%. A dry or serous culdocentesis occurred frequently. In five patients, a falling or low quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin level was believed to indicate a completed abortion. The authors conclude that almost half of EPs are still missed on the first physician visit; errors and pitfalls in diagnosis are still common in the 1980s.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Emmans
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lowenstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin