Validation of the Role of Transvaginal Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Ectopic Pregnancy Cases from 2002 to 2007 at A Tertiary Hospital

ABSTRACT: Ectopic pregnancy is a life and fertility-threatening condition. The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy should be made based on the positive visualization of an adnexal mass on transvaginal ultrasound. This study aims to assess the usefulness of transvaginal ultrasound for the early detection of ectopic pregnancies in women presumed to have ectopic pregnancy based on the various sonographic appearance prior to surgery and final diagnosis will be based on the findings at surgery and subsequent histology of removed tissues. A total of 47 women diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy by ultrasound were used during the study period. In our study, majority of confirmed ectopic pregnancies are seen as a complex adnexal mass accounting for 57.4% especially if associated with culdesac fluid which is suggestive of hemoperitoneum accounting to 63.8%. However, the presence of a live gestational sac or embryo allowed a definitive diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Efficacy of ultrasound was 89.4% in the early detection of ectopic pregnancy and hence plays a very important role in reducing the maternal mortality and morbidity associated with this condition.

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