title: Multiple parameters in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the role of emergency ultrasound examination in the diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study done at the Radiology Department, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from January 1999 to December 2000 using observational facts by non-probability convenient sampling method. Seventy one patients who presented with acute symptoms in early pregnancy, were subjected to emergency pelvic ultrasound. Both transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound were done in 52 patients while in 19 patients only transabdominal ultrasound was performed. Serum Beta hCG levels, of all patients were greater than 1500 iu/ml.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasound correctly identified ectopic pregnancy in 71 patients. Ultrasound diagnosis included live embryo in six patients, adnexal mass with pelvic fluid in 54 patients, extrauterine gestational sac in 4 patients and pelvic fluid without adnexal mass in 7 patients. There was no indeterminate ultrasound scan, resulting in 100% specificity and sensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of multiple parameters in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy resulted in 100% sensitivity and specificity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Iram
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Naseem
authors.forename: Vaqar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bari
authors.forename: Naila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nadeem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human