title: Role of MRI in the early diagnosis of tubal ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the role of MRI in the early diagnosis of tubal ectopic pregnancy (EP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and MRI features of 27 cases of tubal pregnancy were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A thick-walled gestational sac (GS)-like structure was demonstrated lateral to the uterus in all cases. On T2-weighted images, the thick wall typically exhibited 3 discrete rings in 22 cases (81 %), among which 17 cases (63 %) displayed small vessels and 6 cases (33 %) exhibited small areas of fresh haemorrhage inside the thick wall. The contents demonstrated non-specific liquid in 26 %, papillary solid components in 56 %, and fresh blood or fluid-fluid level in 19 % of the cases. Dilatation of the affected fallopian tube associated with hematosalpinx was demonstrated in 18 cases (67 %) and marked enhancement of the tubal wall was observed in 22 cases (81 %). No correlation was found between the size of the GS and the estimated gestational age (r = 0.056).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI plays an important role in the early diagnosis and management of tubal pregnancy. The characteristic MRI features include a GS-like structure with a "three rings" appearance on T2-weighted images, presence of solid components in the sac, dilatation of the affected fallopian tube with hematosalpinx, and tubal wall enhancement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • MR imaging has served as a problem-solving procedure in ectopic pregnancy. • MR imaging features can be criteria for early diagnosis of tubal pregnancy. • Detailed assessment of ectopic implantation is necessary for management decision-making.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Mohe Road, Shanghai, 201900, China.
authors.forename: Ming-Jue
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Si
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Mohe Road, Shanghai, 201900, China.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Mohe Road, Shanghai, 201900, China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Mohe Road, Shanghai, 201900, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Xiu
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Mohe Road, Shanghai, 201900, China.
authors.forename: Qian-Qian
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Mohe Road, Shanghai, 201900, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Xin
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Mohe Road, Shanghai, 201900, China. zhaojiangmin1962@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Jiang-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D058746:Gestational Sac / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Early diagnosis; Ectopic pregnancy; Fallopian tube; Gestational sac; MR imaging