Echogenic peritoneal fluid as an isolated sonographic finding: Significance in patients at risk of ectopic pregnancy

Echogenic intraperitoneal fluid in any quantity noted on sonography is thought to indicate a very high likelihood of ectopic pregnancy (EP) in patients at risk. We retrospectively reviewed 12 consecutive symptomatic patients with a positive pregnancy test in whom sonography revealed echogenic fluid...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical radiology 1998-07, Vol.53 (7), p.520-522
Main Authors: Wachsberg, R.H., Levine, C.D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ascitic Fluid - diagnostic imaging
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Genital system. Mammary gland
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Medical sciences
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Ectopic - diagnostic imaging
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Ultrasonic investigative techniques
Ultrasonography
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Echogenic intraperitoneal fluid in any quantity noted on sonography is thought to indicate a very high likelihood of ectopic pregnancy (EP) in patients at risk. We retrospectively reviewed 12 consecutive symptomatic patients with a positive pregnancy test in whom sonography revealed echogenic fluid as an isolated finding without evidence of intrauterine pregnancy and in whom follow-up was available. Final diagnoses were EP in seven patients (58%) and spontaneous abortion in five (42%). EP was diagnosed in all four patients with a large amount of echogenic fluid, but in only three (38%) of eight patients with a small-to-moderate amount of echogenic fluid. We conclude that a small-to-moderate amount of echogenic fluid noted as an isolated finding may not be highly predictive of EP.
ISSN:0009-9260
1365-229X
DOI:10.1016/S0009-9260(98)80173-6