Vaginal sonography findings and hCG dynamics of early intrauterine and tubal pregnancies

Article Abstract:

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the products of conception implant in areas outside of the uterus. Diagnosis can be made using transabdominal ultrasonography, the use of high frequency sound transmitted by an abdominal transducer to visualize internal structures. The absence of a gestational sac in the uterus coupled with an increase in blood levels of the hormone associated with early pregnancy, the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone, suggests an ectopic pregnancy. Although an hCG of greater than 6,500 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) is used as the reference cutoff for ectopic pregnancy, some ectopic pregnancies may produce a lower hCG level. Furthermore, in some cases, abdominal ultrasound may yield an image resembling a gestational sac which doesn't really exist, or else a poorly defined image of the reproductive structures. Transvaginal ultrasound produces high resolution images of reproductive structures using a probe inserted into the vagina. The relationship of vaginal ultrasound findings to hCG levels was evaluated in 74 women with normal pregnancies, 18 women experiencing spontaneous abortion and 34 women with tubal pregnancies, where the embryo implants in the fallopian tubes. An hCG of more than 2,004 mIU/mL and a clearly recognized gestational sac in the uterus were found in the normal pregnancies. In normal pregnancy the hCG level doubled in 1.46 days, while in the tubal pregnancies the hCG doubled an average of 7.69 days. A gestational sac less than 5 millimeters in diameter was associated with hCG of less than 6,500 mIU/mL. The relationship between gestation sac size and hCG may be different in multiple pregnancies. Ultrasonographic findings such as a solid or fluid mass in the adnexa area outside the uterus were indicative of a tubal pregnancy. Vaginal ultrasound can be used assess the size and location of gestational sacs. In combination with serial hCG determination, vaginal ultrasonography is a useful indicator of ectopic pregnancies. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Prenatal ultrasonography, Ultrasonics in obstetrics

---

Preoperative angiographic uterine artery embolization in the management of cervical pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Ectopic pregnancies are those that result when the embryo implants in a site other than the uterine cavity. The cervix is a rare ectopic site; in such cases, extensive bleeding often necessitates total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes). A report is presented of two cases of cervical twin pregnancy diagnosed by ultrasound within the first two months of gestation. With the patients anesthetized, the uterine arteries (which supply blood to the uterus) were occluded (blocked) and the uterine contents removed. Both patients suffered minimal blood loss and went home the day after the procedure. This use of angiography (X-ray visualization of arteries after injection of a dye) carries little risk. The approach can be used to diagnose cervical pregnancy six weeks after the preceding menstrual period; traditionally, cervical pregnancy was diagnosed in the course of surgery after hemorrhage developed. Preoperative diagnosis of the condition with ultrasound allows this consequence, with its implications for future fertility, to be avoided. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Surgery, Radiography, Medical, Medical radiography

---

Comparison of abdominal and vaginal sonography in suspected ectopic pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Two methods of sonography were compared in the detection of ectopic pregnancy, in which implantation of the fetus occurs outside the uterus. Sonography utilizes ultrasound to produce an image of an organ or tissue. One hundred women who were suspected of having an ectopic pregnancy were examined by by abdominal sonography, which failed to detect a living fetus. Vaginal scanning provided more useful and accurate diagnostic information in 44 percent of the cases. It may also be valuable for early diagnosis of pregnancy within the uterus.

Vagina, Abdomen

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The effect of maternal hemodynamics on fetal growth in hypertensive pregnancies. Preeclampsia: A hyperdynamic disease model
• Abstracts: The differential neonatal morbidity of the intrauterine growth retardation syndrome. The measuring of blood pressure during pregnancy
• Abstracts: The American Cancer Society National Prostate Cancer Detection Project: findings on the detection of early prostate cancer in 2425 men
• Abstracts: The development of fetal heart rate patterns during normal pregnancy. Hiccups and breathing in human fetuses
• Abstracts: Bronchoalveolar lavage in ankylosing spondylitis. Temporomandibular joint osseous morphology in a consecutive sample of ankylosing spondylitis patients

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.