Role of pelvic ultrasonography in evaluation of symptomatic first-trimester pregnancy.
Early identification of an abnormal pregnancy is important. The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy before tubal rupture can prevent life-threatening hemorrhage. This article provides a review of the normal development in early pregnancy and correlates this with ultrasound findings, followed by a structured approach to the ultrasound examination. The specific findings in early pregnancy are reviewed, and the predictive value of these findings in identifying either a normal or abnormal intrauterine pregnancy or an ectopic pregnancy are discussed.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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Dart
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin