title: The reliability of ultrasonography in the management of spontaneous abortion, clinically thought to be complete: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of ultrasonographic examination in the clinical management of spontaneous abortions thought to be complete.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with clinical findings suggestive of complete spontaneous abortion were managed prospectively on the basis of ultrasonographic results. Patients with an "empty uterus" were managed expectantly; those with a thickened endometrium or echoes consistent with retained tissue were subjected to curettage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-eight of 49 (98%) patients with an "empty uterus" by ultrasonographic examination had an uneventful recovery without curettage. Nine of 13 (69%) patients with a thickened endometrium or evidence of retained tissue on ultrasonography had chorionic villi obtained by curettage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonography is a highly reliable test in the management of women thought to have complete spontaneous abortion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Hospital, PA 15213-3180.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rulin
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Bornstein
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000027:Abortion, Incomplete / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography