title: Transvaginal ultrasound scan versus laparoscopy in the diagnosis of suspected ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: This is a prospective study comparing the performance of transvaginal ultrasound scan with laparoscopy as the last diagnostic tool in a clinically suspected ectopic pregnancy. Both diagnostic methods have the same sensitivity of 100%. Transvaginal ultrasound scan had a specificity of 73.7% and a positive predictive value of 89.8%. Laparoscopy had a specificity of 84.8% and a positive predictive value of 94.6%. The use of laparoscopy could avoid laparotomy in only 3.4% of patients. Since transvaginal ultrasound scan is easier, safer and cheaper than laparoscopy, more emphasis should be laid on its use in our environment than laparoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chama
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Obed
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Ekanem