Stereomicroscopic demonstration of chorionic villi: differentiation between miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate direct peroperative stereomicroscopic examination of endometrial curettings in the differentiation between miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.


METHODS
A prospective consecutive controlled study.


METHODS
Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-nine women with vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain in early pregnancy and no fetus seen on ultrasound.


METHODS
The results of stereomicroscopy were compared with the histological diagnoses.


RESULTS
There was 90% (95% CI, 84-94%) agreement between the stereomicroscopic and histological examinations. Fifteen per cent had an ectopic pregnancy. The sensitivity of stereomicroscopy as a marker of ectopic pregnancy was 92% (73-99%), the specificity 94% (88-97%). The predictive value of a positive test was 73% (54-88%) and that of a negative test 98% (94-100%).


CONCLUSIONS
Direct peroperative stereomicroscopy of endometrial curettings is a valuable diagnostic tool for immediate differentiation between miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
Kristiansen
J D
JD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Clausen
I
I
Nielsen
M N
MN
Thomsen
S G
SG
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology*; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000737:chemistry*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000473:pathology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity