title: Primary application of three-dimensional ultrasonography to early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preliminary evaluation of three-dimensional (3D) imaging for early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve asymptomatic patients before six weeks of amenorrhea and with no feature of intrauterine nor of ectopic pregnancy at traditional bidimensional ultrasonography were considered. Laparoscopy showed ectopic pregnancy in 9 cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  3D transvaginal ultrasonography preceding laparoscopy showed small ectopic gestational sac in 4 cases. Moreover the fallopian tube on the side of ectopic pregnancy could be imaged in all cases. This was possible because the fallopian tube was surrounded by a fine hypoechogenic border, an apparently specific feature which had not been reported previously.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary data suggest that 3D ultrasonography is an effective procedure for early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in asymptomatic patients before six weeks of amenorrhea.
authors.affiliation: Clinique Obstétricale et Gynécologique Université de Reims, Hôpital Maison Blanche, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harika
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gabriel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carre-Pigeon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alemany
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quereux
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wahl
mesh_terms: D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography