title: The utility of transvaginal ultrasound in the ED evaluation of complications of first trimester pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For patients with early intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), the sonographic signs of the gestation may be below the resolution of transabdominal ultrasound (TAU); however, it may be identified by transvaginal ultrasound (TVU). We sought to determine how often TVU performed in the emergency department (ED) reveals a viable IUP after a nondiagnostic ED TAU and the impact of ED TVU on patient length of stay (LOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective cohort study of women presenting to our ED with complications of early pregnancy from January 1, 2007 to February 28, 2009 in a single urban adult ED. Abstractors recorded clinical and imaging data in a database. Patient imaging modality and results were recorded and compared with respect to ultrasound (US) findings and LOS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 2429 subjects identified, 795 required TVU as part of their care. Emergency department TVU was performed in 528 patients, and 267 went to radiology (RAD). Emergency department TVU identified a viable IUP in 261 patients (49.6%). Patients having initial ED US had shorter LOS than patients with initial RAD US (median 4.0 vs 6.0 hours; P < .001). Emergency department LOS was shorter for women who had ED TVU performed compared with those sent for RAD TVU regardless of the findings of the US (median 4.9 vs 6.7 hours; P < .001). There was no increased LOS for patients who needed further RAD US after an indeterminate ED TVU (7.0 vs 7.1 hours; P = .43). There was no difference in LOS for those who had a viable IUP confirmed on ED TAU vs ED (median 3.1 vs 3.2 hours, respectively; P < .32).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When an ED TVU was performed, a viable IUP was detected 49.6% of the time. Emergency department LOS was significantly shorter for women who received ED TVU after indeterminate ED TAU compared with those sent to RAD for TVU, with more marked time savings among those with live IUP diagnosed on ED TVU. For patients who do not receive a definitive diagnosis of IUP on ED TVU, this approach does not result in increased LOS.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104. Electronic address: nova224@hotmail.com.
authors: Nova L
authors: NL
authors: Panebianco
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
authors: Frances
authors: F
authors: Shofer
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
authors: J Matthew
authors: JM
authors: Fields
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, TX.
authors: Kenton
authors: K
authors: Anderson
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR.
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Mangili
authors: Adjunct Faculty, Brandman University, Irvine, CA.
authors: Asako C
authors: AC
authors: Matsuura
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
authors: Anthony J
authors: AJ
authors: Dean
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal