PITFALLS IN THE TRANSVAGINAL SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

Transvaginal sonograms (TVS) of 40 adequately documented ectopic pregn ancies were reviewed retrospectively. Difficulties that interfered wit h the accurate demonstration of the adnexal mass of the ectopic pregna ncy were identified in 21 of these studies (52.5%). In three cases (7. 5%) the ectopic pregnancy was visualized in an erroneous location. In 11 cases (27.5%), the ectopic pregnancy was overshadowed by coexisting pathologic findings, misinterpreted as a ''bowel segment or poorly de marcated from the adjoining ovary. In seven cases (17.5%), the adnexal mass of an ectopic gestation was completely overlooked on initial TVS . TVS in the woman suspected of having an ectopic pregnancy must be pe rformed meticulously and with due consideration to the pitfalls descri bed.