title: [Pregnancy of unknown location].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A pregnancy of unknown location is a descriptive term that can be defined after performing trans vaginal ultrasound. This situation includes patients with a positive pregnancy test but with no evidence of intra or extra uterine pregnancy on transvaginal sonography.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To discuss different aspects of management of women with pregnancy of unknown location.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin levels, progesterone levels and mathematical models are helpful in the prediction of final outcome of pregnancy: intra uterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous resolution or persistent pregnancy of unknown location. Active expectant management of asymptomatic women with a pregnancy of unknown location has been shown to be safe.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical intervention (diagnostic laparoscopy and uterine curettage) to diagnose the location of the pregnancy should be restrictive.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Maternite et de neonatologie de Tunis, La Rabta, Tunisie.
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malek-Mellouli
authors.forename: Fethi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ben Amara
authors.forename: Hedi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reziga
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis