Criteria for Transvaginal sonographic diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Abstract

Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed in 1150 patients suspected of having an ectopic gestation. The criteria for transvaginal sonographic diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy were established by targeted scanning of the pelvic organs and spaces. Sonographic assessment of tubal pregnancy and its differential diagnosis were based on six criteria: (1) the presence or absence of gestational structures within the fallopian tube, (2) the presence or absence of amorphous material in a dilated fallopian tube, (3) the presence or absence of indirect signs of ectopic pregnancy within the pelvis, (4) the echogenicity of a suspected finding relative to the ovary, (5) the presence or absence of flow (of lacunar origin) within the suspected sonographic finding, and (6) the relationship of a suspected sonographic sign to an intentionally displaced ovary. The latter 3 criteria help differentiate between tubal gestation and a corpus luteum. We believe these diagnostic criteria should be applied when performing transvaginal sonographic scanning of patients suspected of having an ectopic gestation.