title: [HCG in serum and peritoneal fluid in suspected ectopic pregnancy].
abstract: HCG was measured in peripheral serum and peritoneal fluid (PF), obtained by punction of the Douglas pouch (n = 12) or by laparoscopy (n = 14) in 26 patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy. In 10 patients with tubal pregnancy, the hCG-concentration in the PF was in every case higher than in serum. Contrary to this, in 11 disturbed and 2 normal intrauterine pregnancies the PF-hCG was lower than in serum. No hCG-gradient could be observed in 1 patient with an interstitial pregnancy. Moreover, in 2 patients with inconclusive laparoscopic findings, the PF-hCG was higher than in serum; this pointed to a probable harbouring of a suspected missed ectopic pregnancy, and treatment was therefore conservative. The PF-hCG level 35 h after i. m. application of 5000 IU hCG to non-pregnant women varied between 11 and 42% as compared to that of the serum. It is concluded that the gradient of hCG between PF and serum can be used for the verification of a suspected ectopic pregnancy in addition to other diagnostic methods.
authors: Abt. für Gyn. Endokrinologie, Universitäts-Frauenklinik, J.-W.-Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main.
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Dericks-Tan
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Albrecht
authors: H D
authors: HD
authors: Taubert
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000097:blood*; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin
vernacular_title: HCG in Serum und Peritonealflüssigkeit bei Verdacht auf ektopische Schwangerschaft.