Dual ultrasound improves diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancies
Integrating information from multiple ultrasound exams could improve the diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancies.
New data published in the journal Medicine supports the use of both abdominal and vaginal ultrasound when diagnosing ectopic pregnancies. The study’s results suggest using both provides greater detail of crucial anatomy than using one or the other alone. Experts involved in the research believe the combo could reduce rates of misdiagnosis—a known issue with ectopic pregnancies.
“The combined examination can make up for the shortcomings of a single examination method and enhance the accuracy of diagnosis,” Na Li, with the Ya’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and colleagues suggest. “Vaginal ultrasound and abdominal ultrasound complement each other, which can not only improve the sensitivity to early ectopic pregnancy, but also provide more imaging information to help doctors understand the patient’s condition more comprehensively and make more accurate diagnostic and treatment decisions.”
The team recently conducted an analysis comparing the effectiveness of using each exam individually against deploying both. A total of 204 women who presented to a single institution with suspected ectopic pregnancy were included. All patient underwent surgery as well, the pathology results (gestational villous tissue in the blood clot and visible villous matter) of which were used to determine the diagnostic effect of each exam.
Abdominal ultrasound alone yielded a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 89.04%, 93.15% and 95.89%; these figures were 42.86%, 57.14% and 71.43% for vaginal ultrasound alone. The combination of both exams achieved figures equal or superior to each modality alone, with a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 85%, 90% and 93.75%, respectively.
The two-exam detection rate for the embryo, yolk sac, original heart tube beat, pelvic effusion, adnexal mass, intrauterine pseudogestational sac and extrauterine gestational sac was significantly higher compared to the individual exams.
“The combined examination improves the detection rate of sonographic features and shows significant advantages, especially in the detection of features such as germ, yolk sac, primordial heart tube pulsation, and adnexal zone mass,” the group notes. “These features are key elements in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy and can help physicians determine the site of ectopic pregnancy and whether it is combined with other complications.”
Considering the concerning mortality risks associated with ectopic pregnancies, the team suggests utilizing both ultrasound exams could significantly improve patient outcomes.
Read more about their findings here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.