[Ultrasonic diagnosis in early pregnancy: method, value and problems of differential diagnosis].

According to strictly defined criteria a differential diagnosis between regular pregnancy, imminent abortion, missed abortion, incomplete abortion or hydatidiform mole is attempted using 385 basic ultrasound tests carried out from the 6th to the 16th week of pregnancy. The diagnostic procedure, its pitfalls, their reasons and possibilities of avoidance are discussed. In spite of the wide area of application the positive score of 92% in all basic tests is stressed. Comparing these findings with HCG tests the ultrasound method is clearly superior.