ULTRASOUND - AN AID IN DIAGNOSIS OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

Compound sector scanning has been employed in 39 cases of suspected ectopic pregnancy. In 21 of these, where the diagnosis was confirmed at operation, there was a 23.8 per cent negative error by sonogram. In 18 cases where the postoperative diagnosis was other than ectopic pregnancy, there was a positive sonographic error of 27.7 per cent. The over-all error was 25.6 per cent. The major diagnostic criteria were uterine enlargement with diffuse amorphous intrauterine echoes. An irregular, fairly diffuse extrauterine mass was a contributory diagnostic aid. Standardization of techniques and improved definition by the equipment should improve the diagnostic accuracy. © 1969.