Ectopic pregnancy: common and some uncommon misdiagnoses

Abstract

Several diseases of the peritoneal cavity may present in manners that are difficult to distinguish from ectopic pregnancy. A careful history and a thorough physical examination are paramount to making the correct diagnosis. Diseases of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts usually present in specific manner. The difficulty arises when the clinical presentations of these disease processes are atypical. Under such circumstances, other diagnostic modalities, including serial beta-hCG testing and pelvic ultrasound, are extremely useful in distinguishing ectopic pregnancy from other diseases that occur in the abdominal peritoneal cavity. Generous use of the laparoscope facilitates diagnostic exclusion of certain entities, decreases the frequency of misdiagnosis, prevents unnecessary surgical procedures, and reduces morbidity and mortality.