The use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Ectopic pregnancy is still the most common cause of maternal deaths in the first trimester. Here we report a case of a 29-year-old pregnant woman who presented with a 2-week history of lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. She was initially diagnosed as having had a complete miscarriage. On the second presentation the patient was diagnosed with a tubal ectopic pregnancy. The patient was managed surgically and recovered uneventfully. The case is discussed, and a review of the literature in relation to the use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is presented.

Figure 1

Transvaginal ultrasound scan showing a pseudosac in the uterus (black arrow) with a live ectopic pregnancy in the adnexa (white arrow).

Figure 2

Transvaginal ultrasound scan showing an empty uterus (short white arrow, pointing toward the thin white horizontal linear shadow, the endometrium) and a mass in the pouch of Douglas (black arrow) with some free fluid (long white arrow).