[Early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy by uterine curettage with serum hCG assay]

Abstract

Objective: To explore the value of uterine curettage combined with serum hCG assay in the diagnosis of early ectopic pregnancy (EP).

Methods: Judgement was done by uterine curettage pathologic examination of uterine content and determination of serum hCG in 61 patients with suspected EP with clinical symptoms, signs and auxillary examinations.

Results: Intrauterine pregnancy was confirmed in 17 patients by the presence of chorionic villi in the uterine contents. 26 patients were diagnosed as having EP by the absence of chorionic villi and elevated levels of hCG 24 hours after curettage. 18 patients who had no chorionic villi and the level of hCG fall down spontaneously after curettage were diagnosed having either intrauterine pregnancy or EP, mostly no further intervention.

Conclusion: Diagnostic curettage with serum hCG determination can be used for differentiating intrauterine pregnancy from EP and it can also provide a reference for further arrangement.