TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN SURGICALLY VERIFIED ECTOPICPREGNANCY

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate transvaginal ultrasonographic f indings in ectopic pregnancies for positive ultrasonographic sign(s). STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-nine patients admitted with an ectopic pregnancy from September 1987 through September 1989 were retrospectively review ed. Sixty-nine had undergone transvaginal ultrasonography within 10 da ys before surgery. The ultrasonographic examinations were reviewed by four radiologists. RESULTS: Ultrasonography revealed adnexal masses in 54 patients (78%). Thirty-six masses had an appearance consistent wit h an adnexal ring. Twenty-four adnexal rings demonstrated a thin sonol ucent area surrounding the ring, a ''halo sign'' (67%). A control grou p of 116 intrauterine pregnancies were evaluated by ultrasonography. F orty-one women had adnexal cysts. Twenty-seven of these had an adnexal ring; only two of these had halos. CONCLUSION: The halo sign is presu mptive evidence of a living ectopic pregnancy and, when identified, ma y allow earlier diagnosis and intervention.