title: Transvaginal ultrasonographic findings in surgically verified ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to evaluate transvaginal ultrasonographic findings in ectopic pregnancies for positive ultrasonographic sign(s).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-nine patients admitted with an ectopic pregnancy from September 1987 through September 1989 were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-nine had undergone transvaginal ultrasonography within 10 days before surgery. The ultrasonographic examinations were reviewed by four radiologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasonography revealed adnexal masses in 54 patients (78%). Thirty-six masses had an appearance consistent with an adnexal ring. Twenty-four adnexal rings demonstrated a thin sonolucent area surrounding the ring, a "halo sign" (67%). A control group of 116 intrauterine pregnancies were evaluated by ultrasonography. Forty-one women had adnexal cysts. Twenty-seven of these had an adnexal ring; only two of these had halos.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The halo sign is presumptive evidence of a living ectopic pregnancy and, when identified, may allow earlier diagnosis and intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Burry
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Thurmond
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Suby-Long
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Choffel
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000290:Adnexa Uteri / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography