title: Outcomes of ultrasound diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Dependence on observer experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of examiner experience on the detection of ultrasound findings in ectopic pregnancy was assessed in a retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records and examinations of 267 consecutive patients with surgically proven ectopic pregnancy were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) those who were examined by faculty during the day (182 examinations) and (2) those who were examined by resident physicians at night (85 examinations).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistical difference was found in the incidence of adnexal mass, free fluid, sac within the mass, and corpus luteum cyst.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Examiner experience has a strong effect on the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound examination. Adnexal abnormalities may be difficult to identify because of confusion with loops of bowel or other pelvic structures. Faculty follow-up and review are important in patient management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans 70112, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wojak
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Nolan
mesh_terms: D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D015588:Observer Variation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data