Open AccessDiagnostic Ultrasound in Threatened Abortion and Suspected Ectopic Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Jörgensen Connie,
Skjaerris Johannes,
Sundén Bertil,
Åberg Anders
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348009155402
Subject(s) - medicine , ectopic pregnancy , abortion , obstetrics , pregnancy , gestational sac , laparoscopy , gynecology , ultrasound , cyst , surgery , radiology , genetics , biology
200 women threatened with abortion during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy were examined with diagnostic ultrasound to determine whether there were signs of intrauterine life. Of the 90 who showed positive signs, 8 aborted spontaneously later, the other 82 continued their pregnancy. The ultrasound investigation revealed no signs of intrauterine life in 110 patients. Of these, spontaneous abortion or later evacuation because of missed abortion 101 (histo‐pathological examination showed degenerated villi in 98), not pregnant 4, mola hydatidosa 3, extrauterine pregnancies 2. An ultrasound examination was performed to ascertain whether 136 women with suspected ectopic pregnancy had intrauterine pregnancies. 61 of them had an intrauterine gestational sac, confirmed at clinical follow‐up. One of the 61 was operated on with laparoscopy because of pain; no abnormalities were found. In 36 of the other 75, laparoscopy was performed. Ectopic pregnancy 21, ovarian or parovarian cyst 11, adhesions 2, salpingitis 1, and normal 1. Diagnostic ultrasound is excellent for accurate prognosis in threatened abortion. Unnecessary operations avoided; hospitalization in suspected ectopic pregnancies reduced.