title: Ultrasound Evaluation of First Trimester Complications of Pregnancy.
abstract: OUTCOMES:: EVIDENCE: A MEDLINE search and review of bibliographies identified articles was conducted.
  
  
  
  The evidence collected was reviewed by the Diagnostic Imaging Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. The recommendations were made according to the guidelines developed by The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1).
  
  
  
  Women presenting with first trimester bleeding may be incorrectly diagnosed with a missed abortion, may have an ectopic pregnancy overlooked, or may be inappropriately reassured about viability. Improvement in the identification of the sonographic landmarks of normal embryonic development and awareness of the sonographic risk factors of pregnancy failure may lead to more case-specific management strategies. Diagnosis of suspected ectopic pregnancy often involves an assessment of both hormonal markers and sonographic features. Maternal morbidity and mortality can be reduced with an early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Outremont QC.
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.affiliation: Ottawa ON.
authors.forename: Yvonne M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Cargill
authors.affiliation: Toronto ON.
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Glanc
mesh_terms: D000030:Abortion, Missed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000033:Abortion, Threatened / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
keywords: Missed abortion; anembryonic pregnancy; ectopic pregnancy; threatened abortion; ultrasound