Echogenic peritoneal fluid as an isolated sonographic finding: significance in patients at risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Echogenic intraperitoneal fluid in any quantity noted on sonography is thought to indicate a very high likelihood of ectopic pregnancy (EP) in patients at risk. We retrospectively reviewed 12 consecutive symptomatic patients with a positive pregnancy test in whom sonography revealed echogenic fluid as an isolated finding without evidence of intrauterine pregnancy and in whom follow-up was available. Final diagnoses were EP in seven patients (58%) and spontaneous abortion in five (42%). EP was diagnosed in all four patients with a large amount of echogenic fluid, but in only three (38%) of eight patients with a small-to-moderate amount of echogenic fluid. We conclude that a small-to-moderate amount of echogenic fluid noted as an isolated finding may not be highly predictive of EP.
Department of Radiology, University Hospital and New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103-2406, USA.
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RH
Wachsberg
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Levine
D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography